Have you got a DD on the spectrum? Hormones!! Help!

[MrsTawdry]

DD who is 10 has always shown some signs of what would have been Aspergers like symptoms....but no DX. She's bright, a little obsessive at times over certain stuff....and then she's also got some sensory issues....loud noises.....hyper sensitive skin etc. She was briefly selectively mute aged 4-5 and it resurfaced aged 7 when she changed schools...that was when she was looked at by an EP and it was decided that she didn't meet enough of the signs for any further exploration. She's very, very articulate and has always managed well socially.

She began to speak at school and seemed to manage well although she had some Palilalia...(I did too at the same age!) which went about a year later. SHe has a strong relationship with words...says that they have colours, tastes and also that some items have a word which goes alongside them but which is unrelated to their function...so a particular pottery vase at home has "Umbrella" and a belt I own is "Turgid"

I don't know it all this has relavence.

She has a sophisticated sense of humour and a tight group of friends which is some comfort.

She's struggling this year (year 6) as the youngest in the year and because I think there's a bit of mean girl behaviour going on among the queen bees.....but she distances herself...so copes. However she's been over stimulated at night...can't wind down....buzzing and humming till 11.00 pm and nothing so far has helped.

I guess it's the effort of holding it all together all day. She hates physical exercise so I can't even wear her out with a cycle ride or something as she will cry if I try to make her.

What can I do? I think hormones are kicking in...that's not helping...I've got her some Oil of Evening Primrose today in desperation...but will it do anything?

Would a weighted blanket help do you think? What are they for exactly?

Thanks bbkl she has some beginings in the chest area I think...and stomach cramps now and then....also a bit of a pong underarm.

I just can't get her to excersise....it's a nightmare...come the summer and we can ride our bikes to school again and I know that will help. I will try herbal tea and that combined with the evening primrose might act as a sort of switch...to make her believe she's being helped.

I will try to make bedtime more routine like too. Thanks a lot...it does help to know we're not the only ones.x

My teenage dd (16) saw friend's t shirt that says 'awake, dressed, what more do you want?' and 'If I'm awake it is too early to talk to me'

I think at this stage in year 6 they do a lot of growing up. They can envisage themselves in big school and mentally they are already there.

The anxiety of the upcoming move plays out for different kids in different ways. Mean girl stuff is mean, I'm not excusing it, but it is more likely to turn up at the end of year 6 and the start of year 7 I believe, but only from my limited experience.

I think the anxiety might well be worth focusing on.

The sleep I fear is a lost cause until the age of 18...

Regarding the colour/shape/taste, it's called synesthesia. Not sure it has any 'clinical' relevance (although it shows that there is a lovely variation in how brains function), but I imagine your daughter would be fascinated to read about it.

Long thank you. I will try to find something she'd like to read.