Suspected autism in 12 year old granddaughter.

I wouldn't slap a label on her without findng out more and without a formal diagnosis.

Is she unhappy at school? Starting a new school at 12 can be daunting, especially if others have made their friendship groups. It sounds as if she isn't at a school near home so may not know anyone in the catchment area either.

has to catch the bus at 7.20 in the morning, and my daughter has had so many problems getting her up. Yesterday I had to pick her up from the school as she had decided she was too hot, and didn't want to wear the school blazer, so just walked out. (scream I know).
That's quite an early start. Does she travel with other children or is she on her own?
I'm surprised she could just walk out of school too.

Your DD needs to go in to have a chat with the HT or Head of Year and find out what pastoral care is available. Is her father in the picture at all?

They can be PITAs, I know, but I feel sorry for her, she sounds as if she's struggling.

Sounds like normal 12 year old behaviour.

It does seem now that any negative behaviour requires a label that really makes no difference to who the person is anyway.

JaxJacky yes I understand, the family would much prefer our darling GS to be naughty, autism is not an easy thing to negotiate the world with.

Sounds like a stroppy teenager to me too, our granddaughter is autistic and my daughter a SENCO.
In an odd way, if our granddaughter was naughty, it would be a relief.

It sounds very much like my grandson.

As far as I know, he is just a pain in the arse teen.

Always late for school, walks out if he decides he will/won't do as is asked of him.

Him and almost all the teens at his school, from what I can gather

Sorry, crossed post with Oreo.

Have a look at ODD Trisher123 if you haven’t already . Wishing your family all the best as it’s not an easy situation.

If her behaviour has always been a problem then it could be something other than a young teenager kicking against boundaries.ODD for one thing, that’s oppositional defiance disorder.It isn’t just bad behaviour.

There is far more to autism than being defiant.

Is there someone in the school responsible for pastoral care?

Is her being against school rules the only part of her behaviour which makes you/her parents think she may be autistic?

Is this a new trait? If so it could be hormonal changes that she is struggling with.

This could be one of many neuro divergent conditions, or could just be behavioural. Would get a private assessment if possible with a child psychologist. I believe costs vary but would be in the ballpark of £1,500-£2,500. What do the school say and do they have a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-Ordinator)

Yes, definitely stroppy teenager behaviour, I should know, I was one!

Good luck to your daughter……

Her Mum needs to push for a diagnosis. It may be autism, it may be something else or it may be she is just badly behaved.
A Psychologist will assess her.

My niece got so fed up waiting that she paid privately for an assessment for her son. He is 12 now. It cost about £1,000 so they just put off updating their car for a year.

Who suspects autism? It sounds like a stroppy teenager to me.