Does this sound like Aspergers?

[BlackCatinChaos]

DD is in mainstream school. She is very bright and copes with school so the teachers say. However, outside of school there are things that make me wonder:
She doesn't like people to sing Happy birthday
doesn't like the sound of crisps being eaten
hates balloons being popped
doesn't like people clapping (in school she copes with clapping)
she plays on her own at parties, dancing running around. wouldn't join in with party games.
she likes dvd's
she has talked to and played with her imaginary friends (sonic and friends) for over a year now.
Hits family members sometimes for no reason.
sometimes comes out with random words phrases that she made up.
otherwise she is quite like any other NT child.

Hi blackcat and welcome to the board. Everychild (and adult) with aspergers has their own unique set of difficulties and quirks and strengths.

Many people with AS can hold everything together at school and then fall apart as soon as they come home.

Communication is always an issue for people with AS not that they cant talk because usually they have an exceptional vocabulary but that they dont communicate in the way NT people do. Most of the people I know with AS find it difficult to express their emotions or ask for help but I am sure there are people with AS who can do those things.

I think what I am trying to say is that it is massively complex and added in to that is the fact that your Dd is a girl (obviously) and there are still a number of Proffs out there who are struggling to recognise AS in girls.

If you are worried, make a list of what you are worried about and go to your GP, ask for a referral to a dvelopmental paediatrician, you dont have to take your Dd if you prefer not to. Just make you list as comprehensive as possible.

Also keep coming on here for advice and support, it really is the best place. Ask any question about special needs and someone will either know the answer or know where to get it from!

Good luck

Hi, my ds can not tolerate the sound of crisps being eaten - until now I have never heard of anyone else having this problem. He often has to put his ear defenders on when people eat crisps. How old is your dd? It is worth trying to get her used to the sound of crisps as it can cause big problems especially at parties and family gatherings if people are eating crisps.

It sounds like she has a lot of sensory issues.

My ds has a diagnosis of high functioning autism. I did a lot of reading about autism then approached my gp who referred ds to a multi disciplinary clinic.

I cannot stand anyone munching crisps! Neither can my two DDs. Or anything squeaky or screechy. Constant foot or pen tapping drives me bonkers also.

Like Polter I note more on the sensory processing side of things as a possibility. However I have a DS with AS and girls do present very differently :)

What to school think? Have they come forward with any concerns or queries?

Difficult thing is no one person with AS is the same. Follow your ow. Gut instincts. If you think a referral is needed then go for it to put your mind at rest and stop you worrying or wondering ??

Hi
How old is DD?
There are quite a few things that could be going on there and I have no expertise that can unravel it. Especially at a distance.

But I can say that schools tend to measure educational needs in terms of levels reached in maths literacy and science, and fail to react to things like needing a helping hand learning some of the social skills that other kids pick up automatically.

The sensory side is also on the list of things that LA teachers and staff often don't get.

Whatever is going on in her head which is causing her to perform in a way that is a bit different from the majority in her class, then expert Occupational Therapists, Language therapists (for social skills etc) and Educational Psychologists are the folk to unravel it.

If you can afford independent experts that is great, but the LA/NHS ones are capable of being helpful as well.

Don't worry: my asd relative went to special school aged 8 and is now married employed and paying taxes. Whatever is setting her a bit apart at the moment may well turn out to be irrelevant to you all having a happy life.

Hello all, Thanks for your replies. DD is 6 years old.

I agree with a lot of what you have said and wonder if it is maybe more of a sensory issue. The social side of things does worry me a bit.

From a learning point of view, she seems to do very well. Her teachers say she is doing well at most things.

I will definitely pop onto the SN boards now and again even if I don't post. It is helpful to read other peoples experiences.

I do struggle myself socially and don't always know what to say to people. I don't have many people/friends that I could talk to about my concerns. I think some people just don't "get it" .

Thanks again x

Good advice as always above ;0)

I would write a list of concerns, start a diary, read up on various things that ring a bell. Over time my ds seems to get more asd traits and they get stronger. He has Dcd so not sure if he is significantly on the asd spectrum but it's getting to point now where I know it's a real possibility so we are getting private tests this year.

Sometimes you know things aren't quite right. Sometimes things come right and sometimes your inner alarm bell gets louder over time.

You know whether it's the right time now to chase with the nhs but if it's not right, do all the above and have another think in six months, look back - is it getting better or worse?

Defiantly stick around. You might either think " hmm that sounds familar" or hopefully think "my dd never does that!"

No one is exactly like my ds, which is great. He's his own quirky happy little sole. Totally unique and certainly never boring ;0)

Your DD sounds very similar to
mine (5) and I'm also debating AS. My DS has a diagnosis of autism so it is in the family but then I wonder whether I overanalyse things. DD, as well, is angelic at school, (has told me she's scared to be in time out) and lets it all out at home. She had a speech disorder which has improved immensely but a lot of what you mention resonate with her (not the crisps though). For now, at home, we are using strategies that work for her and whilst there are no major issues at school, I am not seeking a diagnosis (I am waiting for issues to become more apparent). If/when I feel she needs more support at school, then I will decide on further action. Unfortunately, as someone mentioned, as long as they are reaching their academic targets, other needs sometimes get overlooked.