I'm not sure if I'm in the right place or doing the right thing - My daughter is 13 and as she is maturing I'm starting to realise that there is possibly more to her personality than being a painfully shy tom boy!
From an early age she has found it very difficult to handle social situations and has had very few friends. The more I have heard about aspergers in girls, the more I realise that she demonstrates a number of the traits associated with this condition. Unfortunately, the older she gets the harder it is for me to no how to deal with it.
In summary.....
Lack of social skills - can come across rude by not being able to communicate with other people (both adults and other children)
No interest in making firends (as she gets older she has said that she doesn't like to have to do what she doesn't want to do so it's easier to be on her own)
Sensitivity to noise - this has been apparent since a baby!
Prefers the company of boys
No interest in appearance - 'I wear clothes that feel comfortable' (hasn't worn girls clothes since the age of 3)
Is very pedantic
Takes comments literally
Hates change to routine (can get very distressed)
The one thing that makes me question my concerns is that at school (in lessons) she behaves in a totally different manner. Throughout her primary school and earlier secondary school they did confirm that she had security issues and was very quiet, but was extremely well behaved and eager to learn. Me and my husband have always been amazed by the glowing reports she has received from school as she is a very different child at home!
I have mentioned my concerns to the GP who has said unless she wants to be referred herself theres not a lot I can do other than speak to the school. This is where my problem lies - she gets quite upset and concerned when I say I think we need to talk to someone about her behaviour etc. She doesn't demonstrate a lot of the traits we experience at home in the school envrionment (so I think they may think I'm a bit mad!).
I did manage to get her to complete an online 'test' - her score was 35.
I know there is no 'cure' however I really would like to get a definitive answer rather than a self diagnosis but not sure where to go from here.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.
