Navigating Puberty for an Autistic, Non-Verbal Daughter: A Guide for Parents
My friend has a 13-year-old daughter who is autistic and non-verbal. How do they help her learn about puberty so she isn’t caught off guard when it happens?
Given that she doesn't need to speak to learn, there are multiple ways to ensure your daughter understands the concept of puberty.
Tailored Learning Approaches
To start, it's crucial to understand how your daughter learns other things. Autism is a learning and development disability, but this does not mean that anything is impossible. My wife, a teaching assistant, worked with an autistic girl and learned that more time and patience are essential.
1. Observe How She Learns: Pay attention to how she has learned other skills, such as dressing herself or crossing the street safely. Note any specific methods or tools that have been effective.
Preparation Through Communication
2. Communicate Through Books and Written Materials: Avoid relying solely on spoken words. Provide books, articles, or online resources that define terms and explain concepts related to puberty. Encourage her to read and take notes, or you can read the information to her and discuss it together.
3. Create a Resource Box: Prepare a box or packet containing books, articles, and other educational materials. This can serve as a comprehensive resource for your daughter to explore whenever she needs additional information.
Understanding the Process of Puberty
Puberty is a natural and gradual process. It doesn't happen overnight with a sudden growth spurt or a completely different look. Here's how to help your daughter understand it:
4. Simple and Clear Explanations: Start with the impersonal scientific facts. Explain the biological changes that occur during puberty without overcomplicating the information. Use simple and clear language, and avoid jargon.
5. Real-Life Examples: Use real-life examples and age-appropriate stories to illustrate what changes a typical girl goes through during puberty. This can help her grasp the concept more intuitively.
6. Address Potential Concerns: If your daughter has any concerns or questions, address them understandingly. Normalize these discussions as part of her regular conversations and routines, just like any other topic in her life.
Support and Normalization
Puberty is a significant milestone for any teenager, but this can be particularly challenging for an autistic, non-verbal child. The key is to provide support and ensure that these changes are viewed as a natural part of life.
7. Normalize It: Treat all bodily changes and developments as normal parts of life. Avoid making a big fuss or drawing unnecessary attention to them. Keep discussions open and factual.
8. Encourage Self-Advocacy: Empower your daughter to ask questions and express her thoughts. Encourage her to seek help when needed and to speak up about her feelings and needs.
Conclusion: Preparing a child with autism and non-verbal communication for puberty requires patience, understanding, and a combination of creative communication methods. By taking the time to understand how your daughter learns and using accessible resources, you can help her navigate this important phase with confidence and comfort.
Keywords: autism, puberty, non-verbal communication