Puberty question

My 10 year old Daughter was DX with High functioning Autism when she was 4. She has gone from no verbal speech to talking on a 7 year old level. She learns more visually then audio, my problem is this...She has already developed breasts and her hips are coming in. She started wearing a bra when she was 7. Although she shows no early since of menstral cycles, I know they are coming, How do I explain this to her in a way for her understand. The typical books on this are too complex for her to understand.

Is there anyone out there who can give me advice on how to approach this subject with her?

Thank you soooo much.

Kitty

Hi 3blessedangels, and welcome to IAN.

Puberty is an issue that will be faced by all children with ASD, and their parents, too. I found an article on this by the Autism Society of America which I hope will be helpful to you:

http://support.autism-society.org/site/DocServer/LWA_Puberty.pdf?docID=4182

This article addresses issues for both girls (such as menstruation) and boys (such as ejaculation), and discusses how to approach these topics with children on the autism spectrum. They also provide a list of books for reading with your child, or having your child look at, which may be helpful.

If you are unable to find any books on the list that seem appropriate for your daughter's level of understanding, you could make your own even more simplified "social story" picture book about the changes that will occur. I'm hoping that there are pre-existing materials that will serve out there, however. This need is not new, because parents of any girl or boy who is emotionally or cognitively behind in their development, but physically on time or even ahead, face similar issues. This includes, for example, parents of children with Down syndrome.

Connie

Your link is broken. I am getting close to this event also. I think our problem is going to be more about being touched and not wanting to have the things in place to manage menstruation issues. My wife will be in charge (thank god) but she is worrying about what to do. There is talk of taking steps that would keep it from occurring. Need help or links please.

Thanks
Chloe's Daddy

Thanks so much for letting me know about the broken link, bssage.

I think I've fixed it above. I'll also put it here.

Living with Autism: Puberty and Children on the Autism Spectrum -- http://support.autism-society.org/site/DocServer/LWA_Puberty.pdf?docID=4182

I also found news of a new book about puberty written for girls with intellectual disability, "The Girls' Guide to Growing Up: Choices & Changes in the Tween Years":

http://www.autism-society.org/news/new-book-guides-girls-through.html

Another book, available on Amazon, is "Taking Care of Myself: A Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism": http://www.amazon.com/Taking-Care-Myself-Personal-Curriculum/dp/1885477945

I hope these materials will be helpful for you and your family.