Puberty Tips for you and your Special Needs Daughter

by Chantai Snellgrove Print This Article

Young woman with Down syndrome eating from a spoon.

Tips for when your Special Needs Daughter gets her Period

Note: I thought these articles were worth sharing and repeating.

Puberty!

Puberty! The word itself strikes fear in most parents as their child begins to make that transition into adulthood. For your average kid, these changes might bring about a bit of uneasiness, but, overall, life moves on at the same pace as before. However, for our challenged children, it can be a time of even more difficulty for caregivers, as well as, the children themselves. My own perspective comes from my daughter, Catharine. Catharine has autism. Her introduction to physical changes, as well as the emotional changes that go hand in hand with the onset of puberty, were a bit rough at first. Catharine is one of our four kids and only the second one to hit this milestone. Our oldest, Joshua, had the usual moodiness and quest for independence that most kids have, but, overall, it was a part of his life that he discussed with his dad, certainly not mom.

It began when Catharine was 9 and I noticed that her body was changing. Breast buds began to develop as well as some pubic hair. I immediately called our pediatrician because I was so concerned that she was early. As reassuring as always, she told me not to panic. These changes can go on for quite some time and I only need to sound the alarm when I see underarm hair-the first mountain before her period begins.

Read the rest of this article ––> Puberty!

When your Special Needs Daughter Gets her Period

[Source: Friendship Circle Blog]

From the time my daughter was born with Down syndrome thirteen years ago, my biggest concern was what would happen when she got her period. I have learned over the years that I am not alone when it comes to parental worry on this subject.

Let me stress up front that I am not a medical professional in any capacity so what I am going to share with you should not trump your doctor’s recommendations; I am simply sharing my journey and providing some helpful hints.

When your daughter gets her period

Learn your school’s and nurse’s clinic’s menstruation policy

I know this sounds absolutely crazy, but this is huge. In our school district, the nurses will not provide pads or help your daughter put a pad on her underwear. They will also not accompany your daughter into the bathroom for any reason, even if she has special needs.

Read the rest of this article ––> Friendship Circle

Preparing for the “Monthly Visitor”

Tips from mothers that have already been through it.

My daughter has not yet becomes a young lady, but, the thought of her starting to menstruate does send a bit of a shiver down my spine. How should I handle it? When should I begin talking about it? How will my daughter handle it? What new surprises may I now have to deal with? It’s tough on any young lady, let alone one with other challenges. So, I set out to ask other mothers that have already been through it with their daughters to share their experiences and provide any tips that would help guide me and ease my fears. Just being able to hear/read how another parent handled it put some of my fears to rest. I now feel that I, at least, have a game plan. Below are a set of questions, along with answers, that were asked of mothers who children have different disabilities. Because of the sensitivity of this article, names have been changed to protect the privacy of all.

PSN: When did you start talking about menstruation with your special needs daughter? What did you say? How did you explain it?

Read the rest of this article ––> ”Monthly Visitor”

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