Here's a book just for girls beginning a new phase of their lives! This appealing and easy-to-follow guide for girls with intellectual disabilities is an introduction to the physical and emotional changes they'll encounter during puberty. Written on a third-grade reading level for preteens or young teenaged girls to read by themselves or with a parent, it's filled with age-appropriate facts, realistic illustrations and photos, icons, and a Q&A. The Girls' Guide to Growing Up advises girls about their changing bodies, privacy issues, and how to feel their best, including:
The Girls' Guide to Growing Up is written by an experienced sex educator who specialises in working with people with intellectual disabilities and who is also the author of the popular Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about Their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality. Parents, physicians, schools, and support groups will want to share this encouraging book with girls to help answer their questions about puberty and reassure them it's all part of growing up.
PUBERTY BASICS
OUTSIDE CHANGES: What Changes Will You See?
INSIDE CHANGES: What Changes Will You Feel?
PERIODS
CARING FOR YOUR BODY
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE
FINAL WORDS
Index
"Often I get asked if a book exists that moms can share with their tween girls in preparation for the changes brought on by puberty. Finally - here it is! The explanations and illustrations are concrete, specific, and easy to understand. The Girls’ Guide to Growing Up emphasizes the private aspect of puberty and has reminders of what information need not be shared publicly. This is important because many on the spectrum do not pick up by osmosis the difference between personal and public information. There are lots of practical explanations in here that will help a mother to guide her tween through puberty. I highly recommend this book."
- Chantal Sicile-Kira, Author of Adolescents on the Autism Spectrum and Autism Life Skills
"Puberty is a challenging time for all young adults. Now girls with intellectual disabilities can grow up with confidence, benefiting from this very clear, practical, and honest guide."
- Dr. Brian Skotko, Physician, Down Syndrome Program, Children's Hospital Boston