Early (young) puberty onset, HF autism

[VTMama]

Hi everyone. My daughter has high functioning autism and upon first meeting her it is hard to tell. However, if you know her, boy is it there! She is only 8 years old, but her body thinks she is 14! She is very tall and a bit heavy.


Because I was afraid she'd bleed without knowing what was going on, I explained things to her. She's not thrilled with wearing a bra, but actually needs one.

Has anyone else had this experience? At first she was a little bit excited about it because she could see her body going through all these changes, but now it's "Why am I different, mom?" "Why am I have these body changes?"

help!! Viv

[Lisa S]

Yes, Catherine developed pubic hair at the age of six. We took her to the doctor to make sure that she was OK, and she was. Her bone age was appropriate for her chronological age. She is just now getting to the point that she maybe needs a bra, at 10. We are putting her in sleeveless t-shirts right now so she gets used to the extra layer of clothing. I have had several talks about body changes with her. I showed her a book that has some information and pictures, called How Your Body Works, which she has had since she was very young. She watched a video at school about body changes, just for girls. They had a similar video just for boys.

I bought her some feminine pads and showed her how to stick the pads in her underwear. I sent the underwear and pad stuck inside to school in a ziploc bag inside her backpack, just in case her first period starts while she is at school. I bought her some Dove anti-perspirant which is for sensitive skin and showed her how to use it after her bath, so she uses it every day now. She puts it on after she brushes her teeth. I explained that different parts of her body will grow up at different times and she said, "I feel like such an adult now." We will shop for bras soon. I started my periods at 13 and got my first bra at 12, but children seem to be growing up earlier nowadays.

[VTMama]

Howdy Lisa, thanks for your input. I'm still sort of worried about it but what can I do?

:) Viv

[Lisa S]

Have you shopped for bras, underarm anti-perspirant and pads for or with your daughter? I'm glad that she was at least a little excited about the changes of growing up. When she asks why, I think I would keep the answer simple, like "Because you are growing up," unless she is actually asking for a more detailed one.

I don't have the guts to explain tampons to Catherine yet, so I'm waiting until there is an actual need.

[pimmy]

Yikes! I have had some concerns as well, Sarah who is age 9, soon to be 10 in March, is starting to get more emotional then usual, I have been checking occasionally for the first signs of underarm hair and pubic hair as well. The signs of change, I guess. She has seen my napkins and tampon boxes, in the cabinet, she has asked me, what are they used for? When do you use them, alot of questions. I give her some information, that at a certain time a girl will turn into a woman, and so on. I try not to scare her, because she is deathly afraid of blood, sorry for the visual there. She tells me she doesn't want to grow up. She is starting to get "buds" too, so in the spring we will go shopping for what they use to call a "training bra" in my day, but now I believe they have more of the sports bras, that look more comfortable and not so confining, so we will give that a try. There was a whole discussion on another list that I am on, about this topic. It is an autism list for girls/woman on the spectrum, and for us parents. You will get personal perspectives from woman who are on the spectrum as well. It is a great list. Here is the link....Jodi and Sarah

Autism_in_Girls-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

[VTMama]

Have you shopped for bras, underarm anti-perspirant and pads for or with your daughter? I'm glad that she was at least a little excited about the changes of growing up. When she asks why, I think I would keep the answer simple, like "Because you are growing up," unless she is actually asking for a more detailed one.

I don't have the guts to explain tampons to Catherine yet, so I'm waiting until there is an actual need.


Yep, we've got the under arm deodorant and bras. She asks very detailed questions. She's seen blood on my pad so knows sort of what to expect, but we haven't gotten her any pads yet.

How old is Catherine? Susie has asked about my tampons and I just said they go inside but are for grown up ladies. LOL!

Also, I don't know if they've got 'dollar stores' where you are, but I've gotten Sue some great bras at the one here. She's out growing the cups now but they're inexpensive and great to start out with.

:)

[VTMama]

Yikes! I have had some concerns as well, Sarah who is age 9, soon to be 10 in March, is starting to get more emotional then usual, I have been checking occasionally for the first signs of underarm hair and pubic hair as well. The signs of change, I guess. She has seen my napkins and tampon boxes, in the cabinet, she has asked me, what are they used for? When do you use them, alot of questions. I give her some information, that at a certain time a girl will turn into a woman, and so on. I try not to scare her, because she is deathly afraid of blood, sorry for the visual there. She tells me she doesn't want to grow up. She is starting to get "buds" too, so in the spring we will go shopping for what they use to call a "training bra" in my day, but now I believe they have more of the sports bras, that look more comfortable and not so confining, so we will give that a try. There was a whole discussion on another list that I am on, about this topic. It is an autism list for girls/woman on the spectrum, and for us parents. You will get personal perspectives from woman who are on the spectrum as well. It is a great list. Here is the link....Jodi and Sarah

Autism_in_Girls-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Hey Pimmy, Good luck with the period thing when it happens. Poor kid. Also, thanks for the heads-up on the yahoo group. I'll see ya there! :santa: