I need suggestions for helping my autistic daughter deal with puberty.?

Question

My daughter is 8 almost nine and recently she has acquired body odor and hair down there. I need some help! I have no idea how to help her or prepare her. I will take personal suggestions, websites, articles, studies, anything.

Answer 1

stay active, deoterant (anti persperant)

Answer 2

I hope this helps:

http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/family/14896...

Answer 3

Be gentle and Honest, has she seen you undressed to know that it is normal. Depending on what ever she positively responds to pictures sounds what ever try to use that to show her it is ok and normal.

BE LOVING

Answer 4

Dependant on the severity of Autism in your daughter, and how well she manages new things or changes, is going to mean the difference in how well she will manage her periods.

Is she able to communicate, what is her comprehension skills like, and is she toilet trained. These will also impact on how well she will manage her periods.

If mild she may cope with having periods, but it will take some time and lots of patience from immediate family members who live within the home.

Have a talk to your daughters paediatrician as he/she maybe able to give you some suggestions/options, or advice on how to handle this, they may suggest the contraceptive pill or Deprovera injections (stops periods) could be an option.

Is your daughter attending a regular school or special school?

If she is attending a special school talk to a female staff member, and ask how they deal with young woman who are starting their periods. You will be surprised just how much help and support they could give you.

If your daughter is not toilet trained,  and she wears moli care nappy/diaper, then this may make the issues of menstruation easier to deal with, as you can put a normal pad into the nappy/diaper.

I work with young people with varying types of disabilities, and one mother I was working with found a rather unusual way (unusual to me anyway) of dealing with this very matter.

This womans daughter is profoundly affected by Autism, and she spoke about periods to her daughter, and showed her what sanitary napkins/pads are, and where they go. There is a bit more to this, but I am not going to post it for public view. So if you wish to find out more please email me.

When she starts to menstruate keep a record of dates so you can have some warning of due date, and note any mood swings or behavioural changes, if these coincide with her due date, keep up the pain medication for a dew days prior to the period starting, and hot water bottles or heat packs, on her tummy for pain, be prepared for major mood swings or behavioural changes etc (this mostly due not being able to communicate their thoughts & feelings).

I wish your luck and if you would like some more info please feel free to email me.

Georgie