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<\/a><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis article is mommy approved by Miriam Slozberg, mother of two<\/a><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
The trick is you have to be as specific as possible when describing to autistic girls how their bodies\u00a0will change because they will become women. The first thing to do is to tell them that the expected changes will be slow, which means they will happen within three years. Otherwise, they may think that the changes will occur in one day.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prepare them for how they will become taller, that their skin will start to get oily, and they will have pimples. Discuss with them that their breasts will grow again, not in one day. It will grow the same way as a puppy does. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The puppy is small and eventually turns into an adult dog. And puppies don’t grow into larger dogs in one day. In addition, it is important to tell them that there are different sizes of breasts.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parents and caregivers will also want to mention how the girls will begin to grow hair underneath their arms, on their legs, and around their pubic areas. This means hair will be in different areas of their bodies other than only on their heads. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also important to tell them that they will sweat out of their armpits, which means they will feel wet in that area and smell. However, the points about teaching them about proper hygiene will come later.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And last but not least, you will also want to prepare them for menstruation. Make it clear that they will see blood coming out of their vaginas and end up on their underwear, which is normal. It does not mean they are hurt, sick, or dying, which these girls may be terrified of.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is not necessary to go into the details as to why menstruation happens, but it is important to tell them that it happens once a month for 3 to 7 days and that they will need to wear pads.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
People with\u00a0autism are visual learners and thinkers<\/a>. While describing what will happen to their bodies as they grow, it is best to use visuals. Find pictures of teenage girls with acne online or in magazines as ads for products such as\u00a0ProActive\u00a0may have photos of adolescent girls with acne. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will also want to show them pictures of maxi pads (as well as tampons, however, that is optional as most parents<\/a> will not start girls with tampons and will stick to pads until much later). Mothers that get their periods can show their autistic daughters their used pads, so they know what to expect when they have their own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These girls will need to be prepared for how their emotions will change during puberty. One minute they may be happy. The next minute they may be irritated and upset, and the next, they may be sad. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also, tell them they may develop crushes on boys (or girls), which is okay too). They may also have urges to touch themselves and when they do, make it clear to them that they must do so in private in the bathroom or the bedroom with their door closed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They must realize that touching themselves in public is inappropriate, such as at schools, parks, or malls.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is also important to prepare them to feel cramps before their periods start, and their breasts may get sore. This way, they will know they feel unwell because of their periods. Not because they are sick.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, autistic girls (and boys) are often targets because they are vulnerable, and the risk of sexual abuse is higher. These girls need to know that no one is allowed to touch their privates until they get into relationships (which will come at a later discussion). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They must immediately tell someone they trust, such as a teacher, therapist, parents, or any caregiver. And reassure them that the person that touched them will never touch them again.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When parents and caregivers of autistic girls are teaching them about\u00a0puberty<\/a>, it is important to make it clear that they must shower daily because they will sweat and smell. Teach them to put on deodorant each morning before getting dressed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is important while teaching girls what to expect with puberty and how they will feel to use\u00a0social stories<\/a>\u00a0when discussing that with them. There are social stories on how to take care of themselves hygienically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMiriam Slozberg is a Canadian author, blogger, and\u00a0mom to 2 kids. One had\u00a0combined autism and ADHD. After years of trialing different forms of therapy, she learned how to best support her son. She writes for publications such as\u00a0BabyGaga.com. She also is a\u00a0mental health advocate\u00a0as she lives with\u00a0ADHD and\u00a0has experienced\u00a0depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a> <\/li><\/a> <\/li><\/a> <\/li><\/a> <\/li><\/a> <\/li><\/a> <\/li><\/a> <\/li><\/a> <\/li><\/a> <\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This article is mommy approved by Miriam Slozberg, mother of two. Many parents of typical girls worry about when their daughters will be heading into pre-teen, from ages 9 to 11,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1592,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[195,243],"tags":[16,202,201,203],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/mom-4211831_1920.jpg","acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1589"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1589"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1589\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7474,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1589\/revisions\/7474"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1589"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1589"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safesleepsystems.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1589"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
