First time posting here, please be gentle!
Was initially surprised to be told by the school last year that they thought my daughter, then six, might be ‘on the spectrum’ (as they put it).
She is enthusiastic, social and communicative. Loves school. But there have always been some behaviours we’ve put down to her being quirky. Hates socks with seams, doesn’t give eye contact in photos, definitely likes to follow rules. Hard on herself when she makes mistakes.
Over lockdowns when she became frustrated over something, she would bite her hand hard (leaving toothmarks).
Recently that’s back. She loves spending time with other children –would be on constant playdates if we let her.
But when a playdate ended last week, she was devastated. Seeing me arrive it was like a switch was flicked, she was running and hiding and then hitting herself on the head.
Another playdate had to be cancelled because of illness and again we had a huge emotional reaction, almost devastation.
And at the end of an extra-curricular activity today (which I happened to stay for, and she was so happy the entire time), she suddenly told me she hated it, me and everything in the entire world.
It’s like she becomes a different girl, sad and angry. Until the storm passes (which is can do quite quickly) only to them possibly return again.
Last few weeks when cross she’s hit herself on the head in frustration.
She is very articulate but cannot seem to tell me what is happening to upset her. She did say that she’d rather not have fun than have the fun end. That she’s sad and angry but doesn’t know why.
It’s like a teenager suddenly overwhelmed, but she’s only seven.
Is this part of the ‘trouble with transitions’ that her teachers mentioned? Any books I can read that might offer some tips or advice? I just want to help her.
Thanks so much for reading all this!