![]() If your child understands why they’re having these symptoms and how long the symptoms are likely to last, it can help your child feel more in control of their changing body. Pictures to illustrate these feelings might be useful. You can help your child to manage mood changes and emotional symptoms by letting them know that they might: But if your child has trouble communicating or finds it hard to regulate their emotions, their emotional symptoms might lead to challenging behaviour. Like typically developing children, autistic children might experience mood changes just before or during the first few days of their periods. Mood changes or emotional symptoms before and during periods ![]() When your child is first starting with tampons, the type that come with applicators can be easier to use. It’s probably easier to manage and less overwhelming for your child if they start with period-proof underpants or pads before tampons. You might need to tell your child who to go to if they get their period at school – for example, the school nurse.Ĭhildren of any age can use tampons, but it can take some time and practice to get used to them. Once your child’s periods have started, you could show your child how to use a calendar or an app to plan when their period is due. It will also help if you show your child where to attach the sanitary pad – you could mark their underwear to show where it goes. If your child uses visual supports, a visual schedule that shows the steps involved in changing period-proof underpants, pads or tampons can be useful. If your child keeps their period-proof underpants, pads and tampons in a particular drawer in their bedroom, or in the bathroom, your child will know where these things are when they need them. You know your child best, so you’ll be able to decide whether period-proof underpants, pads, tampons or a menstrual cup will be best for them. You could go to the supermarket and choose some different pads or tampons together, or look at these items online. Your child will need to know what sanitary pads, period-proof underpants, tampons and menstrual cups look like and how to use them. If my period goes for longer than seven days, I will talk to an adult who cares about me. Putting a hot water bottle on my stomach and having some pain relief medication can help me feel less sore. My breasts, stomach and the lower part of my back might feel sore at this time. Feeling this way is normal and usually stops when my period starts. I might feel angry, I might feel sad, I might feel frustrated, or I might feel other emotions. This is OK.Ī few days before I get my period, I might feel more upset about things. Most girls and women have a period every 28 days. ![]() I will need to use special underpants, a pad or a tampon so my clothes don’t get stained. When I get my period, blood comes out through my vagina. Social story: I will begin to have my period Social stories can help you and your child get ready for periods. ![]() How to prepare autistic children for periods It can help to make sure your child is prepared. And because you can’t know exactly when your child will get their first period, it’s a good idea to start talking about it early.Īlso, if children don’t know or understand what periods are, they could be frightened that something is wrong with them or that they’re hurt. When to start talking about periods with autistic childrenĪutistic children often need longer to adjust to and understand changes in their lives than typically developing children do. If a child has a major growth spurt and has grown some underarm hair, periods are likely to be just around the corner.Īutism doesn’t affect when young people start their periods. Most young people get their first period when they’re between 11 and 14½, but anywhere from 9-16 years is considered normal. A first period is a sign that the physical changes in your child’s body have only a couple of years to go. First periods are one of the most significant milestones. ![]() Autistic children go through many changes in puberty, just as typically developing children do. ![]()
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