Don't repeat my mistake

Tl;dr at the bottom.I've been thinking about whether or not I should share this. I think it needs to be said.I had two kids. One had severe autism. My other child appeared to be neurotypical (NT). I assumed my "NT" child didn't have very many problems because was she "NT." I assumed she had everything under control.In October of last year, she didn't respond when I called her for dinner. I went into her bedroom. She hanged herself. I got her down. My wife called 911 while I performed CPR. It didn't work. She was gone.We read her journal. I showed it to a psychiatrist and therapist. We believe my daughter may have suffered from severe depression.Looking back, my wife and I realize my daughter left warning signs. She suddenly started only wearing one-piece swimsuits. It turns out she cut on her stomach where no one would see. She withdrew within the past few months of life. She suddenly appeared happier and more outgoing. We believe that may have been when she made up her mind to kill herself. We looked at her phone and noticed she contacted the suicide hotline a few times.It's been 6 months. I'll never get over my daughter's death.Please don't make the same mistake I did. Just because your child is NT or appears to be doesn't mean your child doesn't have problems.The therapist I saw said kids with special needs siblings often have problems of their own. Depression, anxiety disorders, social problems, academic problems, and low self-esteem are not uncommon. Not everyone with a special needs sibling can relate to these, but many can. She also said kids and teenagers have problems and need their parents guidance - that's just the nature of growing up. When you have special needs siblings, those problems are pushed under the rug and you're left to fight it on your own.Tl;dr: Just because your child appears to be NT doesn't mean they are or that their life is perfect. My daughter who appeared neurotypical ended her life. Please don't repeat my mistake.Edit: SheaRVA pointed out self-harm and suicide isn't the same thing. I would recommend reading their reply.Maybe the cutting wasn't a warning side of suicide. I do think, however, it meant she was struggling. via /r/Parenting http://ift.tt/2q0u80n