We are a bit concerned about our 4 year old DD. She is summer born and has just started school. We are wondering whether her current behaviours are anxiety or could suggest ASD. Keen to hear from parents with experience.
Our DD has always been “quirky” - some repetitive behaviour with repeating certain words or movements at random. But would come and go. Some sensory things - she likes tight hugs and sometimes presses a lot into my and my partner’s face (we have to tell her to stop). Speech on the slower side (and we still struggle to get much out of her about preschool/ school) but within the range of her peers. These things have come and gone throughout her early years. She is shy but sociable, lots of friends, likes to be around people, will sometimes initiate play as well as follow, can do imaginative play alone and with friends, affectionate, understands emotions and facial expressions match emotions, understands jokes, great sleeper and eater, no issues with changes in routine or location (until school!)
But some of her quirky behaviour has recently become more pronounced/ is escalating - e.g.
- Getting fixed on the word “booby” and saying it at random moments. And generally speaking in slight gobbledegook at times.
- Pulling the same strange expression with her mouth at random moments.
- Completely OBSESSED by her baby brother’s hands. Wants to hold them, kiss them constantly - we feel it’s actually interrupting her relationship with him as she struggles to do anything else with him.
- Fixed on the same imaginary game (making a “boat” with cushions and setting out where each of us will sleep in it). Wants to do this multiple times every single day. She will and can play other games (imaginary and otherwise) but always comes back to this.
- Organising - putting all her little toys, papers, trinkets on her desk and floor at night time. There isn’t a particular order but she does have a real compulsion to have to lay it all out.
- We’ve spoken to her teacher who says she’s very quiet in group/ floor time but plays with the children she knows.
We’re wondering whether these behaviours could suggest ASD and therefore we should be trying to get her referred or whether they are within the range of normal young child behaviour - especially when going through a big transition like school.
Sorry for the mammoth post. Thoughts and experiences hugely appreciated!