Symptoms of autistic girls aged 4???

[Shazzle88]

My daughter is going through assessment currently. She masks at nursery and school but is absolutely vile some times at home, shes aggressive, screams and crys all the time. she is one of four children and she literally has the whole house walking on eggshells for fear of her melt downs. She wont eat most foods. She collects everything but never plays with anything. Shes verbally advanced except she has a stammer but she just literally cannot cope in most social situations. Im worried that she will continue to mask at school so i wont be able to get help and support for her. Any body been in a similar position and give me a glimmer of hope?? Xx

Would look at doing a sensory diet and making everything low demand for her.
DD is 4 in July so preschool/nursery but she wears ear defenders when it’s really loud, she gets breaks during the day to play with some sensory toys and have a reset.
we keep routine at home, no overstimulating tv, dinner is a safe food but always served with a veg on the side. Don’t demand she sits at the table, don’t make a big deal about food.
Have you had any chats with her teacher or their senco?
x

What is a sensory diet? The nursery werent supportive at all they just said she was shy and didnt like to play with the kids . Ive had a meeting with the senco at her new school but they dont seem to take it as seriously as they should because shes not causing trouble and she masks well at school. Honestly hun i feel like im fighting a losing battle, the whole thing is breaking me xx

I honestly dont know what to do anymore, i feel lost so any advice or tips are greatly appreciated xx

Does your daughter mask at school? Have you got an ehcp in place xx

Masking at nursery and exploding at home is known as the coke bottle effect. It signifies there are unmet needs at nursery. If nursery was easier, home life would improve too.

You can get support in school for DC who mask. It can be harder, though. The nursery should be providing support. And the school must make their best endeavours to meet DD’s SEN.

For home, do you have any sensory equipment? Have a look at this booklet and this website. A sensory diet is a set out activities for DD’s sensory needs that can help with regulation. Some people find books The Out of Sync Child and The Explosive Child helpful. Others find Yvonne Newbold’s resources helpful.

Food wise, have you considered ARFID? Will DD take multivitamins?

She takes vitamin gummies and drops im not sure what arfid is ill look it up. We dont have sensory equipment i will be able to afford it if she is awarded dla. Im just not sure what help to ask the school for. Im new to all this, im doing as much research as I can but I need advice xx

ARFID is Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.

Have a look at some charity grants for sensory toys/equipment. For example, Family Fund, Boparan, Caudwell Children, Children Today, The Florence Nightingale Aid in Sickness Trust. New Life does play therapy pods with sensory toys. Also look at Cerebra.

Speak to the school about extra transition visits. Then things like support for sensory needs, such as sensory circuits and support with emotional literacy and regulation. Then anything that DD will need, e.g. how does she manage with nursery drop off/pick up? Will she need dropping off/picking up from school 5 mins early/late from a quieter entrance? Will DD cope in the hall at lunchtime?