Autism

It could very much be autism. My daughter has autism & pda fully verbal etc xx

Hey so not a kid with autism but I was a child once aha. I’m diagnosed autistic. We are all different but the same sort of symptoms. Sensory is a major part to being autistic. Often textures in the mouth are a big one. But sensory stimulation and processing is a huge part, this is normal for someone with autism. The sleeping schedule and naps is also normal, we aren’t aliens but we do love routine. Keeping to a routine and keeping us up to date with any changes to a routine is a big one. Going Non verbal can often be due to overstimulation, or under stimulation. I do when I’ve been in a shop and there’s been lots of people in there and the lights are too bright. Stimming is a major thing we have too. Often hand flapping but can be anything from noises to wiggling toes to full blown rocking. Don’t discourage stimming as this is a way of processing things for us, unless it becomes a risk of harm then introduce a different way. I personally bite when i stim and get too wound up.

My son is 2.5 years old. In the US they can diagnose them very early. He was diagnosed at 19 months old. At that point they said level 3. So yes, it is a spectrum. My son also loves loud noises and loves to cuddle and physical contact. He also has a few words. He can place all the letters in the right order and can say perfectly about 50% of them and the rest he says approximations. He would also put them in the right order and then from Z to A. He knows all his numbers and a few other words but it is more labelling, not conversational. My point is that it is a spectrum and what they say about loud noises is just a stereotype that only applies to very few kids on the spectrum. Same thing about clothing. My son is perfectly fine with mostly everything except sticky things (including foods). Not saying that your daughter is on the spectrum but I dont think it can be ruled out based on the information you gave. What else is she doing that makes you suspect autism? What are the specialists saying?

This is from someone who has been there as a child who is autistic and is now an autistic adult with my own family. I have also researched a lot because I like to know why I am the way I am. Also autism is hereditary so might be worth looking into either yourself or child’s dad as one of you are most likely autistic too.

This could be more a sign of sensory processing disorder rather than autism. ADHD is a potential thing too. If she also struggles with eye contact and comes across blunt when she’s a bit older that’s a big sign of autism. It’s worth noting that boys often display autism differently to girls so there is that to take into consideration. Boys often comes across as the stereotype where girls can be more outgoing and outspoken.

@Robyn I think her dad has it but won't get tested as he doesn't want to know I have dyspraxia she does things on her own terms which is the same as her dad

@Daniela just that she's not talking and very sensory and we are waiting for a referral which takes 2 years

@Robyn that's very helpful thank you she does put a lot in her mouth and chews everything she does also pull hair and scratch faces but she doesn't do it on Purpose she will also only do things on her own terms

@Chelsie it’s worth noting that depending on age this could be a way of coping with big feelings and isn’t necessarily neurodivergent however you know your child best, ways in the meantime is getting sensory toys designed for autistic children, having a calm down space where it’s quiet and comfortable and got all the things she likes in it without it being overstimulating for when she’s starting to stim and needs to have a moment

Make sure to include her age as thats important. The spectrum is so vast and what youve described can be all autistic things. There are also things that will chbage as they grow like behavioural stuff and social stuff especially for girls who learn early on to mask. My daughter is almost 5 and i had to fight them for years to assess her as she appeared fine in the quick doc apps we would go to etc and no one believed me. But then as time went on there has been significant speech and behavioural stuff present. Everyone one of us on the spectrum is so different (i was diagnosed at 33 with both autism and adhd becasue i learnt to mask so well not even my therapists picked it up... but lokking back they should have and i wish they did and i wish someone fought for me to get me extra supports and help). If it turns out she isnt then thats fine too but push for an assessment so you know and you can supoort her with therapies etc she will need at some point.

Also important to note that those of us and our kiddos with asd and ahdh can present differently too. Like i struggle to stick to a routine but chaos stresses but the push and pull of having both means i struggle to find balance of having routine and things getting a bit chaotic etc. So important to also note that sometimes when things look different/ present differently then it may be a case of having both.

@Katie pls what's pda been hearing about it alot. Thanks.