My grand daughter is 11 and is autistic! My daughter is getting her prepared to start he period?

Question

Are there any moms and dads who have daughters that are autistic and are they getting ready to start having periods, have started having periods and could give my daughter pointers on how to help my grand daughter get ready for her first period!? My daughter talks about her period and my grand daughter knows whats going to happen! Knowing something is going to happen, and HAVING it happen are two very different things!

Answer 1

I would ask an OBGYN about the hormone pill that decreases her period to just a few times a year and you know when they will be, not unlike a birth control pill.

Answer 2

I have had to deal with this as a teacher, but never as a parent. What some parents have done, and what I have done with any new experience with many of my autistic children has been create a social story. If you are not familiar with these, they go through an event that is going to happen. You read it to the individual or they can read it. It is very repetitive, goes through each step, and reassures that everything is OK.  We usually use a symbol writing program that has words with picture symbols written above them. I would suggest talking about what is going to happen, reading a social story often, answering any questions that your granddaughter might have, and being reassuring, supportive and patient. Something else to mention could be mood swings- feeling happy one minute and angry or sad the next. I had one girl in my class who would cry almost constantly for no reason for the day or so before she started her period. This could be scarier than the period itself. Also, knowing what to do to help her with cramps/menstrual pain. If she can not swallow pills that might be something to work on, or talk to her doctor about liquid pain medication. Try not to worry too much. It will probably be more traumatic for you and her mother than it will be for her! Good Luck

Answer 3

I would think,talking about it,would help prepare her for it.So she knows what to expect and what will happen.I have an autistic son.low functioning.Age 13.I dread the day,when I have to start shaving him everyday.He is already going through puberty,and his behavior is getting worse.I`m sure it will work out ok for your granddaughter.

Answer 4

My daughter is ten and starting. She hasn't started menses yet, but has a monthly cycle and definite PMS ;-)

We see a psychologist regularly to get advice on programs and such, and she has been a big help, surprisingly, much more so than our pediatrician. What she pointed out is that very rarely do girls just start bleeding monthly. But what usually happens, is that they have hormonal changes (b*****s, pms, cramps) for a few months (or years, we're approaching two years), then they may have light spotting, and then several months without that. It settles down over time into a more regular event. That helped me so much, because we can focus on what to do to take care of PMS, and cramps first, and then work on the bleeding later.

This may be too much information, but oh well, it'll help. When I have my period, she comes in the bathroom with me. This has been tremendous because at first she was very concerned about my blood, but over time has seen that it happens, that I'm okay, and how to change a pad. Social stories are very helpful (and for hints on how to write them, go to Carol Gray's website, there is a specific formula for writing them) but seeing and doing is a much more effective teacher. Of course, our family is very laid back, and open about the natural world, so I understand that's harder for some moms than it would be for me. I do think if she can do that it would help sooo much.

Your daughter can email me, my info is in the link under my picture. I know that I have some sadness because since she was born, I have had to let go of all the girl rituals that I held dear to my heart....crafts together, shopping for clothes, having a girls night out when she started her period....dating and a wedding and grandchildren. She is a wonderful person for all of that, and I'm thankful for her presence in my life.

Answer 5

I know of a down syndrome  autistic non verbal child. Her mother talked to the dr. and they put her on the depo shot. They started it at age 13 before her first period. She has had spotting at times but that is better then a full flow and less scarier. You daughter might also talk to the teachers who work with her daughter one that might have had other experiences with children at this age to.

Answer 6

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

Is she attending a regular school or special school?

If a special school talk to a female staff member, and ask how they deal with young woman who are starting their periods.

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.

I can tell you 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. This girl is profoundly effected by Autism.

As someone suggested, she could be given a good pain medication to reduce the stomach cramps, hot water bottles or heat packs are good too.

Answer 7

My ten year old autistic daughter started her period this year in April. Unfortunately she was not at home when she started and was at her grandmothers. Of course my mother panicked and I cried the entire weekend. My daughter seemed to handle it well. She uses limited language but did come to my mother for help when she needed changing.

I didn't talk to her extensively beforehand simply because I thought this tragedy would happen later (I was hoping against hope). But I did explain to her in detail what was happening as soon as she returned from her grandmother's. She seemed to understand well. (I go by her body language and facial expression of how she generally feels).

She gets very cranky and can be violent at least a week before her period. When I notice this behavior I start giving her midol as I guess that she may be cramping (since I do sometimes before my period). It helps alot. When she is on her period she wears adult diapers. not the ones with the tabs like babies but the ones like pull ups.

It didn't take her long to pick up on knowing when its time to freshen up and sometimes actually doing it herself. But for your granddaughter it depends on how she well she cares for herself already.

Overally it's not as bad as I thought but I still wish she had a few more years without this drama.