BiographyImogen was born four weeks premature, struggling to breathe. She was in the NICU and SCBU for the first five days with jaundice and there we were informed she also had tongue tie and needed surgery. She was tube fed for the first week until her operation.
Imogen developed well, talking at ten months but early signs pointed to autism. At ten months she regressed with eating and sleeping and she was put on the the pathway for an autism diagnosis.
Along the way she received a diagnosis of ARFID, which is an eating disorder common in autistic children and we struggle to both feed her and to keep her weight at an acceptable level. Her diet is very restricted.
In April this year we received the diagnosis of Autism with a Pathological Demand Avoidance profile. It’s a big diagnosis, which is new and therefore not a lot of support is forthcoming, but we’re working through it and trying to support her anxiety and encourage her to be happy in herself and who she is.
Imogen is a delightful child. She is very bright and a real chatterbox but she struggles with social interaction and anxiety. Her first introduction to nursery led to selective mutism and a failed placement as they were not willing to help her settle. She now has play therapy to help her work through the trauma and has recently started a new nursery where she has really settled and is enjoying herself.
She works hard with a physio, OT and sensory integration therapist who design a programme to encourage her hypermobile body to become stronger.
She will be super grateful for a quilt to wrap herself up in at home.
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