My Autistic daughter is going through puberty. Does anyone know of any "social stories" re: menstruation?

Question

My daughter is very visual, and I think something with pictures might help. I am thinking about the contraceptive shot. Has anyone tried this with their kids? is it safe? Any side effects?

Answer 1

You don't say how old she is, and I don't know too much about the subject, but I found this....

http://www.autismcentre.ns.ca/digitalResources/digitalLibrary/adolescentAdult/

If that's no good, you can find more by typing 'menstruation social story autism' as keywords altogether into a search engine. (I used Yahoo UK).

Hope that helps your daughter,

Eva x

PS. I've had the injection myself and I had no side effects, but when it does tend to really throw out the menstrual cycle. I didn't have a period for about 3 months, and some have had issues for up to a year. The Pill is by far the better option! Good luck.

Answer 2

I have a son, not a daughter, but did find 2 wonderful books on adolescence in children with autism.

"Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum: A Parent's Guide to the Cognitive, Social, Physical, and Transition Needs ofTeenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders " is a wonderful book talking about how to address all the wonderful issues that go with developing bodies and hormones. There is practical advice there on just about everything as well as anecdotal stories to make you realize you are not the first to have to handle this!

"Taking Care of Myself: A Hygiene, Puberty and Personal Curriculum for Young People with Autism [ILLUSTRATED] "
is a fabulous book that covers all the grooming and hygene issues that become even more important as our kids grown It has photographs and illustrations..very good for visual learners.

I would also look for the book "The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls". This book is put out by the American Girls company and was the best thing ever for my daughter. I gave it to her at the age of 11 and then gave it as a gift to all her friends. It covers all sorts of "girl" things, including your period, what to expect and how to handle it. There are some illustrations and the text is incredably accessable for kids.

All three of these books can be found on Amazon.com.

As for the contraceptive shots, I had a very poor experience with them personally. If your daughter is already used to taking pills, I would strongly urge you to consider birth control pills over the shots. The shots have not been tested for use in girls under the age of 18 and there has been little anecdotal studies or expereience on girls aged 12-16 or on children with spectrum disorders. Add in that you would need to get the shot every three months...something most kids (and adults) would rahter avoid...and the pills may simply be easier. I certainly understand you concerns, but do keep in mind even birth control pills have not been studied in younger girls, although with the advent of "low dose" pills many of the worries we may have faced are greatly reduced. Aside from the birth control, if you are worried about sexual activity, you will have to talk about safe sex, your own beliefs and morals and how to say no and protect herself. The first book listed does have some references to programs that you can find to help with that discussion.

Answer 3

I have a boy who is autistic and going though puberty.
Have to give you much more power to help with your daughter.

Please check out the first link and it has a full list of books that should help you.
Secondly I am not sure If I would do the contraceptive shot. It is such a personal choice so you will have to make that step.
Everyone reacts differently to it... to give yourself less stress during that time you might want to give it a try.
Best of Luck

Answer 4

I am 29 years going on 30 in February. I am also disabled, I have seizures, I am a very smart person , I am also slow at thinking.

Meanwhile I work with a lot of disabled people.

Some people have Cerebral Palsy. I help load and unload people who are in a wheelchair. And I also work with people who are Autistic.

I am going to use a person that I work with for an example: A person that I work with his name is Stanley Hise.

Stanley cannot carry on a conversation, Stlanley likes to be alone. The only channel he ever watches is TVLAND. Stanley likes quietness. Now I can ask Stanley this "Stanley what is my name?" and he will say "Aaron" and I will ask "Stanley who is that?" and he will say that person's name.

And I can pick up an stuffed animal and he will have a name for it. Like? A stuffed animal of Yogi Bear and he names it "Jeff". And a lot of other stuffed animals he will name them other names that he knows.

Stanley is Autistic and I have to help him by telling and showing him how to do the job.

Answer 5

I understand why you want the shot, There was talk of a new b/c that would let you go a year without a cycle. You still have to work on spotting though with her, Good luck.

Answer 6

Something from a health class on a cd or tape. Play it over and over