5 year old dd, suddenly non responsive

[Lyannaa]

We think she's on the spectrum and is due to be assessed soon. She's very verbal, in fact more than most NT children her age.

Over the last 2 weeks or so, I have found that every little sound taste difference or smell is triggering a huge meltdown.

She is also not responding to me at all and just going to sit in a room with her toys. We're constantly late for everything.

This seems to be a bad patch but I'm wondering if anyone else's child has had a phase like this and what helped? TIA

Have you looked at sensory needs? Some people find the book the Out of Sync Child helpful.

Following meltdowns, some DC go into shutdown, which is what may be happening when you say DD isn’t responding.

Thank you. Yes, I think maybe shutdown is what's going on. Sensory profile is going to be a part of her assessment, I think. At the moment she seems really anxious. She goes to a very small school who have been v supportive of her needs. I just feel so sad for her because at the moment she isn't happy.

Does DD have an EHCP?

No, not yet. In my LA it will be a big fight but once we have her assessment report, I will apply for one myself.