Puberty

October 3, 2000

Hi Jeanne.

You are not the only parent with a child that fears having fun!! Doesnt

this sound absurd? When we notice a child stopping themselves from doing

something that offers pleasure, we tease them about who's in control. We

challenge the thoughts and conjole them into participating - and then point

out that they did have fun, dispite having concerns that they arent

'allowed'.

So many of us are having problems accessing qualified cognitive

behavioral therapists. I found that reading as much as possible and changing

our parenting style to accomodate, as opposed to resisting, the changes

necessary, have helped with the transition from a our previous lifestyle.

Mood swings are very typical adolescent behaviour - sorry!! What I do is

objectively look at what is happening before the mood change. I find out

when was the last meal (is s/he hungry, sugar low?), are there issues at

school and we're taking the blame? Is there something going on that can be

changed?

I also look to see if depression is a factor. I can often identify anger

in people who are depressed. It is an emotion they can express, while

sadness is often supressed in public. Could it be that your son is depressed

and this roller coaster of hormones and emotions is overpowering to him?

My suggestion is to try and get an idea of what is going on, then consult

with his physician to come up with a plan of action. Remember that meds may

mask the symptoms, perhaps make them disapear, but they dont allow the

person to deal with their issues. CBT is the answer for that. I have a 14 yr

old who has been med free for a year!! My plan is to reduce the meds in the

others (17 and 11) as they are more comfortable in dealing with their

symptoms and can handle the anxiety provoking situations.

hope this helps, take care, wendy in canada wb4@...

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October 6, 2000

>

> He has always been a nice kid but now he is so frustrated

> and angry . He has nothing but vile remarks for his

> family. He constantly states that I use to be able to

> help him but now he is all alone. His psychiatrist

> says it is all due to puberty. He also does not wnat

> to try Risperdal until we have tried anything else.

>

> My question is...has anyone else dealt with such

> abrupt mood changes and were they truely because of

> puberty. We have survived many, many " bends in the

> rode " but this is the worst yet.

Our daughter's entire demeanor and attitude changed when she hit

puberty. As with your son, up to that point she was the sweetest,

most considerate and caring person I've met at her age. However,

puberty brought out depression, self-image problems and 2-1/2 years

later I've also found that the OCD began to be problematic at that

time.

We also have been riding the emotional roller coaster with her. One

of the most difficult areas for us is trying to discuss anything

emotional. She simply refuses. In fact, it took hospitalization for

her to be " forced " into a willingness to begin working on the

communication issues in family therapy.

I do believe that puberty makes the OCD much more difficult to

manage. They are experiencing all the normal developmental tasks of

becoming independent, realizing their parents don't know everything,

not wanting to be " controlled " , etc. I have read over and over, that

OCD impacts their relationships in a variety of ways. And I believe

it is very difficult for them to control how they react to the normal

stresses of life, let alone the additional stresses of the OCD.

I know that my daughter has begun to have some relief from the

depression with the Paxil. However, I do not believe she has been

willing to begin any CBT or E/RP to tackle the OCD head on. I'm not

sure what is reasonable to expect. It is certainly a lot to be

dealing with adolescence and OCD. If you have any ideas on how to

encourage the CBT or E/RP, I'd love to hear them. Our approach for

now will be to try to make discussions about her feelings safe.

Perhaps then she will be willing to begin facing the OCD more

directly. It is certainly hard when you can't " make " them do

therapy. Realizing they have to make the decision for themselves is

difficult. Good luck to you and keep me posted.

Gwen in Oregon

May 23, 2001

Hi Kathy,

You asked about puberty at our house. Well...I think Gene started into this

when he was about 11 -1/2. He became louder at school and just plain started

yelling more when he was unhappy about something. He turned 12 last May and

in September he started to develop pubic hair. He has a tiny mustache now.

As far as masterbation, that has come along with the package too and I wish I

could say it is contained to his bedroom. But, he likes to do this while

watching TV in the family room and I am always saying " hands UP " or

sometimes he sees me catch him and he quick pulls his hands up. We had a

problem at school with this in the beginning of the year....his classmates

are two years younger than him...so that wasn't too great. But after just

saying " hands up " this has stopped occuring at school. Overall, he has

become much more argumentative in a non-verbal way....if that makes

sense...plus he can shout for what he wants repeatedly with the best of them.

I often wish I had earplugs. Last year when he went to camp, I was

astounded by how quiet it was in our house.

Anyway, we still have a problem with him leaving the bathroom without his

underware or pants on...doesn't do this at school, thank goodness...but I

still need to watch to make sure he doesn't bless the neighbors with a view

of himself in the front yard or back. He seems pretty oblivious to the fact

that its not ok to run around naked. I am going to have to start doing some

serious social stories on this stuff. That might help.

Life goes on, eh?

Lauri

May 23, 2001

nathan is only 9yrs will be 10 this august, but he has

" played " with his privates sinces he was at least

school aged. They just kept saying its a boy thing,

and we have discouraged or redirected from this, he

does it mostly when watching tv, we even tried some

med that lowers the libido and that helped, but it

didnt work out for nathan side effects and all. nathan

also has no shame, hasnt stripped or come out of

bathroom naked at school that ive ever been told, but

at home he does this. He is getting better, when he

had an accident playing with brohter he put on some

dry pants in his room, didnt stay naked requiring us

to tell him the need to be dressed. I also have been

trying to get dad to do the shower thing more, or i

stand outside the curtain with verbal reminders. He

still just comes in the bathroom when im in there, I

often remind him he needs to knock, and to " shut the

door! " ,lol. His little brother is lately showing some

privacy issues of his own, so maybe nathan will start

to soon, he usually follows brohter lead to some

degree. shawna

--- timothytlstein@... wrote:

> Hi Kathy,

>

> You asked about puberty at our house. Well...I

> think Gene started into this

> when he was about 11 -1/2. He became louder at

> school and just plain started

> yelling more when he was unhappy about something.

> He turned 12 last May and

> in September he started to develop pubic hair. He

> has a tiny mustache now.

> As far as masterbation, that has come along with the

> package too and I wish I

> could say it is contained to his bedroom. But, he

> likes to do this while

> watching TV in the family room and I am always

> saying " hands UP " or

> sometimes he sees me catch him and he quick pulls

> his hands up. We had a

> problem at school with this in the beginning of the

> year....his classmates

> are two years younger than him...so that wasn't too

> great. But after just

> saying " hands up " this has stopped occuring at

> school. Overall, he has

> become much more argumentative in a non-verbal

> way....if that makes

> sense...plus he can shout for what he wants

> repeatedly with the best of them.

> I often wish I had earplugs. Last year when he

> went to camp, I was

> astounded by how quiet it was in our house.

>

> Anyway, we still have a problem with him leaving the

> bathroom without his

> underware or pants on...doesn't do this at school,

> thank goodness...but I

> still need to watch to make sure he doesn't bless

> the neighbors with a view

> of himself in the front yard or back. He seems

> pretty oblivious to the fact

> that its not ok to run around naked. I am going to

> have to start doing some

> serious social stories on this stuff. That might

> help.

>

> Life goes on, eh?

>

> Lauri

>

> --------------------------------------------------

> Checkout our homepage for information,

> bookmarks, and photos of our kids. Share favorite

> bookmarks, ideas, and other information by including

> them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent record

> of the archives for our list.

>

> --------------------------------------------

>

May 24, 2001

Hi ! E-Friends ,

What timing on this subject . I've noticed some signs here and there

on those close calls on removing his pull-ups , also during his

bathing . My son is 12 , going on 13 in July . The Disability

Solution Newsletter ( Sexuality Education : Building a Foundation of

Healthy Attitudes ), arrived just in time , too . Need to start

reading it . But what y'all mentioned , Thanks for the suggestions .

Irma , 12 , DS/ASD .

-- In @y..., timothytlstein@c... wrote:

> Hi Kathy,

>

> You asked about puberty at our house. Well...I think Gene started

into this

> when he was about 11 -1/2. He became louder at school and just

plain started

> yelling more when he was unhappy about something. He turned 12

last May and

> in September he started to develop pubic hair. He has a tiny

mustache now.

> As far as masterbation, that has come along with the package too

and I wish I

> could say it is contained to his bedroom. But, he likes to do this

while

> watching TV in the family room and I am always saying " hands UP "

or

> sometimes he sees me catch him and he quick pulls his hands up. We

had a

> problem at school with this in the beginning of the year....his

classmates

> are two years younger than him...so that wasn't too great. But

after just

> saying " hands up " this has stopped occuring at school. Overall, he

has

> become much more argumentative in a non-verbal way....if that makes

> sense...plus he can shout for what he wants repeatedly with the

best of them.

> I often wish I had earplugs. Last year when he went to camp, I

was

> astounded by how quiet it was in our house.

>

> Anyway, we still have a problem with him leaving the bathroom

without his

> underware or pants on...doesn't do this at school, thank

goodness...but I

> still need to watch to make sure he doesn't bless the neighbors

with a view

> of himself in the front yard or back. He seems pretty oblivious to

the fact

> that its not ok to run around naked. I am going to have to start

doing some

> serious social stories on this stuff. That might help.

>

> Life goes on, eh?

>

> Lauri

May 24, 2001

<<Hi ! E-Friends ,

What timing on this subject . I've noticed some signs here and there

on those close calls on removing his pull-ups , also during his

bathing . My son is 12 , going on 13 in July . The Disability

Solution Newsletter ( Sexuality Education : Building a Foundation of

Healthy Attitudes ), arrived just in time , too . Need to start

reading it . But what y'all mentioned , Thanks for the suggestions .

Irma , 12 , DS/ASD >>

Same here Irma. It is in my " to do " pile. When it came, I thought,

" this is great!, just what I need! " Ted is going to be 10 next month

and has started into puberty at age 8. I have thought how ironic! Ted

was delayed in walking and talking and now reading, BUT puberty!

BRING IT ON! We were seeing an endo dr. but they can not locate

the source of the advanced bone age (of 5 years).

May 31, 2001

a,

I think that my teacher or someone told me that

playing with their private parts stimulates them.

--- Green a <mashawnag@...> wrote:

> nathan is only 9yrs will be 10 this august, but he

> has

> " played " with his privates sinces he was at least

> school aged. They just kept saying its a boy thing,

> and we have discouraged or redirected from this, he

> does it mostly when watching tv, we even tried some

> med that lowers the libido and that helped, but it

> didnt work out for nathan side effects and all.

> nathan

> also has no shame, hasnt stripped or come out of

> bathroom naked at school that ive ever been told,

> but

> at home he does this. He is getting better, when he

> had an accident playing with brohter he put on some

> dry pants in his room, didnt stay naked requiring us

> to tell him the need to be dressed. I also have been

> trying to get dad to do the shower thing more, or i

> stand outside the curtain with verbal reminders. He

> still just comes in the bathroom when im in there, I

> often remind him he needs to knock, and to " shut the

> door! " ,lol. His little brother is lately showing

> some

> privacy issues of his own, so maybe nathan will

> start

> to soon, he usually follows brohter lead to some

> degree. shawna

> --- timothytlstein@... wrote:

> > Hi Kathy,

> >

> > You asked about puberty at our house. Well...I

> > think Gene started into this

> > when he was about 11 -1/2. He became louder at

> > school and just plain started

> > yelling more when he was unhappy about something.

> > He turned 12 last May and

> > in September he started to develop pubic hair. He

> > has a tiny mustache now.

> > As far as masterbation, that has come along with

> the

> > package too and I wish I

> > could say it is contained to his bedroom. But, he

> > likes to do this while

> > watching TV in the family room and I am always

> > saying " hands UP " or

> > sometimes he sees me catch him and he quick pulls

> > his hands up. We had a

> > problem at school with this in the beginning of

> the

> > year....his classmates

> > are two years younger than him...so that wasn't

> too

> > great. But after just

> > saying " hands up " this has stopped occuring at

> > school. Overall, he has

> > become much more argumentative in a non-verbal

> > way....if that makes

> > sense...plus he can shout for what he wants

> > repeatedly with the best of them.

> > I often wish I had earplugs. Last year when he

> > went to camp, I was

> > astounded by how quiet it was in our house.

> >

> > Anyway, we still have a problem with him leaving

> the

> > bathroom without his

> > underware or pants on...doesn't do this at school,

> > thank goodness...but I

> > still need to watch to make sure he doesn't bless

> > the neighbors with a view

> > of himself in the front yard or back. He seems

> > pretty oblivious to the fact

> > that its not ok to run around naked. I am going

> to

> > have to start doing some

> > serious social stories on this stuff. That might

> > help.

> >

> > Life goes on, eh?

> >

> > Lauri

> >

> > --------------------------------------------------

> > Checkout our homepage for information,

> > bookmarks, and photos of our kids. Share favorite

> > bookmarks, ideas, and other information by

> including

> > them. Don't forget, messages are a permanent

> record

> > of the archives for our list.

> >

> > --------------------------------------------

> >

February 25, 2002

In a message dated 2/25/02 3:12:55 PM Central Standard Time,

suewestwind@... writes:

> Subj: Puberty

> Date:2/25/02 3:12:55 PM Central Standard Time

> From:<A HREF= " mailto:suewestwind@... " >suewestwind@...</A>

> Reply-to:<A

HREF= " mailto:Autism_in_Girls " >Autism_in_Girls </A\

>

> To:<A

HREF= " mailto:Autism_in_Girls " >Autism_in_Girls </A\

>

> Sent from the Internet

>

> Hello, bear with me through this awkward preface.

> Several days ago (or more?) I was the one who spoke

> out against Risperdol and recommended

> alternativementalhealth.com when someone mentioned

> schizophrenia. Well, I couldn't get back to my email

> for a few days, and the next thing I knew someone on

> this list was saying they felt they had to leave the

> group because they thought their views on medication

> weren't kosher. I've been trying to find time for the

> old posts to see if I started this (my guess is: not

> for the first time?) and if I need to apologize. When

> I saw somebody else recommend similar websites, I

> thought it might be okay to try again, so here goes:

>

> Among the many books on herbalism, not that many have

> chapters about puberty onset, but one I have used for

> other things (my daughter is five) has an outstanding

> chapter called " The Raging Hormones of Adolescence:

> Herbs for Young Women " . It's called HERBAL HEALING

> FOR WOMEN by Rosemary Gladstar. It's not flakey at

> all and very medically knowledgable. It isn't that

> hard to brew a strong tea, and believe me, THEY WORK.

> Just trying to help (and never mean to offend), Sue

>

Sue:

I don't think anyone thought you meant to offend anyone else. Unfortunately,

because I think some people perceive others as being less supportive than

they appear, those people feel others believe that their choice to place

their child on medication is an attempt to drug the child into compliance.

Anyone who has a child on medication knows this isn't or wasn't the reason a

child is placed on medication, but it is such a touchy issue that when others

speak of alternative therapies then those same parents feel that they and

their personal decisions are being attacked, or at the very least, they are

feeling that others believe they " took the easy way out " .

I say, if it works for your child, fine. That doesn't mean one method is

superior to another. If you (everyone in general) do believe that

alternative methods are best, that is fine, but don't try to make someone

else feel that they did something wrong by choosing another type of

treatment.

Feel free to volunteer information on various treatments and therapies, but

to insinuate that everyone has to do this one certain thing, and that if you

don't then you are failing your child, is not the attitude we need. Of

course, that is only my opinion, and I am not the listowner.

Vickie

June 22, 2002

My daughter is almost 13 and started her cycle at 11. I have just started

down the medication road this past spring. Right now she is on the mood

stabilizer Tenex and Celexia. I have noticed that it has taken the edge off

of her but not enough, we are still having problems with her running away

from places she doesn't want to be at, and crying spells for no real reason.

So we are going to see the doctor on Monday to try something else.

Unfortunately these drugs are a crap shoot, you have to find the right drug

and the right dosage for it to be effective. I would start with talking to

her doctor first.

June 22, 2002

I'm sorry I can't help you with what to expect from puberty as my ASD daughter

is only 3 1/2, but I can help you with where to find info on meds. I frequently

use webmd.com to look up information on medications, prescription and

over-the-counter. Here's the link: http://my.webmd.com/drugs_and_herbs

Hope this helps.

~Amy

mamaznutz@...

Check out my family webpage! www.geocities.com/amyboz

" Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans. " Lennon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

puberty

Hello. I'm one of those lurker readers too. I originally signed up on this

list to learn what to expect from puberty. Well, it's here - or just about.

My daughter will be 10 in September and my pediatrician thinks she will get

her period early, about 10 yrs.

I swear for the past few months I can explain her behavior to nothing but

PMS. She's so moody and horrible and argumentative. And she's eating what I

call my kind of PMS food, ex. potato chips and yodels together, yum!

What I'm wondering about is medication. I never wanted to use any meds

before, but now I'm ready to learn about the different ones. I'm looking for

the names of drugs that address aggressive behaviors. Also to learn which

drugs address anxiety.

If anyone has some drug names or some drug web sites that I can start my

research on it would be really really appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Therese

June 22, 2002

I'm sorry I can't help you with what to expect from puberty as my ASD daughter

is only 3 1/2, but I can help you with where to find info on meds. I frequently

use webmd.com to look up information on medications, prescription and

over-the-counter. Here's the link: http://my.webmd.com/drugs_and_herbs

Hope this helps.

~Amy

mamaznutz@...

Check out my family webpage! www.geocities.com/amyboz

" Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans. " Lennon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

puberty

Hello. I'm one of those lurker readers too. I originally signed up on this

list to learn what to expect from puberty. Well, it's here - or just about.

My daughter will be 10 in September and my pediatrician thinks she will get

her period early, about 10 yrs.

I swear for the past few months I can explain her behavior to nothing but

PMS. She's so moody and horrible and argumentative. And she's eating what I

call my kind of PMS food, ex. potato chips and yodels together, yum!

What I'm wondering about is medication. I never wanted to use any meds

before, but now I'm ready to learn about the different ones. I'm looking for

the names of drugs that address aggressive behaviors. Also to learn which

drugs address anxiety.

If anyone has some drug names or some drug web sites that I can start my

research on it would be really really appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Therese

June 22, 2002

My 10 year old got her period about 5 months ago and from the research we've

done, there seems to be no one answer as to what is best for getting rid of

periods. Each method has side effects that may be different for different

girls.

Our pediatrican recommended depo provera shots, but we decided against it

after we did some research and heard from some other parents. A common side

effect is weight gain (we are battling weight as it is). There can also be

mood swings and breakthrough bleeding (the two things we are trying to avoid)

and the shot can be painful. One mom told me that her child exhibited

terrible behaviors that stopped when she stopped the depo shots. We're

reluctant to mess around with something that could worsen behaviors,

especially since our child is nonverbal and it's hard to decipher the cause

of behaviors.

A gynecologist recommended endometrial abletion, a cauterization of the

lining of the uterus. I see it advertised in magazines lately--its main use

is to stop excessive bleeding in women who have finished child bearing.

There's no research on the long-term effect, and no research done with young

women, so no one really knows if the procedure has to be repeated

periodically, and it may not completely stop bleeding. The good news is

that the procedure has been greatly simplified. We have not completely ruled

this out. I'm not quite sure about the legalities of doing this, but would

guess that the law varies from state to state.

We had decided to initially try the pill (easy to go to something else if

needed) but wanted to wait and see what happened with her cycles and so far

so good. She is a bit hyperactive right before her period starts, but

doesn't seem bothered with cramps (this was my main fear). We are hoping

this keeps up but will keep looking for an easy way to get rid of periods,

since self-care is a challenge for her.

June 22, 2002

My daughter is 12.5 y/o. She does NOT have her period yet - but started

developing breast buds at 8.5. Anyway, - as someone else wrote re PMS-like

behavior - 'The Pill' can be used as a hormone (therefore also mood)

stabilizer. This is my plan for once my daughter gets her period (Dr said

to wait till she's had a few cycles before starting).

The Pill ALSO has another benefit - as horrifying/disgusting as it is to

think of our young daughters needing birth control - the sad truth is that

there are perverts around & due to our daughters' ( & sons')

disabilities/language delays - they are 'prime fodder' for these perverts.

Good luck

Mona

Re: puberty

My daughter is almost 13 and started her cycle at 11. I have just started

down the medication road this past spring. Right now she is on the mood

stabilizer Tenex and Celexia. I have noticed that it has taken the edge

off

of her but not enough, we are still having problems with her running away

from places she doesn't want to be at, and crying spells for no real

reason.

So we are going to see the doctor on Monday to try something else.

Unfortunately these drugs are a crap shoot, you have to find the right

drug

and the right dosage for it to be effective. I would start with talking to

her doctor first.

June 22, 2002

Well, Mona, since you brought it up.... what about using the Depo Prevara

shot for prevention of period altogether AND the prevention of pregnancy due

to some pervert or other?

Did you talk about that with your doctor? I have been thinking about that,

but cannot discuss it with my husband as he is not very sensible when it

comes to such things.

My daughter just turned 9 and started her breast buds the last few months or

so. I am living in terror as she just does not have enough language for me

to feel able to explain about the whole " female experience " thing.

Any input you have would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Re: puberty

My daughter is almost 13 and started her cycle at 11. I have just started

down the medication road this past spring. Right now she is on the mood

stabilizer Tenex and Celexia. I have noticed that it has taken the edge

off

of her but not enough, we are still having problems with her running away

from places she doesn't want to be at, and crying spells for no real

reason.

So we are going to see the doctor on Monday to try something else.

Unfortunately these drugs are a crap shoot, you have to find the right

drug

and the right dosage for it to be effective. I would start with talking to

her doctor first.

June 22, 2002

Yes, the Dr (endocrinologist) did mention Depo Preva. HOWEVER, you can't do

that long-term (how long??), whereas The Pill can be used long-term. As far

as I understand DP would involve an injection (not sure if 1/month or

1/every few month), whereas The Pill is easy to swallow. I personally feel

delaying menstruation 1) involves 'playing with hormones' which could be

more trouble (behavioral) and 2) it just delays the inevitable. Sooner or

later, she will have to start menstruating (I'm not looking forward to it

either!). But, as with all the different meds, etc. etc. - whatever works

best for your child - GRAB!!!

As far as the whole 'female thing' - all I explained was that her body was

changing (breast would get larger) & she already has pubic hair. I

certainly didn't go into all the details re fallopian tubes/ovaries, etc.

etc. Don't know how much she understood of what I explained.

Thanks

Mona

Re: puberty

Well, Mona, since you brought it up.... what about using the Depo Prevara

shot for prevention of period altogether AND the prevention of pregnancy

due

to some pervert or other?

Did you talk about that with your doctor? I have been thinking about that,

but cannot discuss it with my husband as he is not very sensible when it

comes to such things.

My daughter just turned 9 and started her breast buds the last few months

or

so. I am living in terror as she just does not have enough language for me

to feel able to explain about the whole " female experience " thing.

Any input you have would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Re: puberty

My daughter is almost 13 and started her cycle at 11. I have just

started

down the medication road this past spring. Right now she is on the mood

stabilizer Tenex and Celexia. I have noticed that it has taken the edge

off

of her but not enough, we are still having problems with her running

away

from places she doesn't want to be at, and crying spells for no real

reason.

So we are going to see the doctor on Monday to try something else.

Unfortunately these drugs are a crap shoot, you have to find the right

drug

and the right dosage for it to be effective. I would start with talking

to

her doctor first.

June 22, 2002

Regarding meds for behavior etc.. I recommend getting the book

STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT PSYCH MEDS FOR KIDS by Dr. Wilens. It does not

give a nice easy solution by any means but will educate on the

different drugs and tell what they do. My daughter has a lot of

endocrine problems already so we started down this road earlier than

we had wanted to... we tried Tenex first with no results and then

moved on to Zoloft which was wonderful up until the last few months,

she has been on it for about a year now. We haven't decided what to

do next but it defintely helped to have this book as a reference and

know what I was talking about with the doctor.

As far as birth control goes we are planning to put our daughter on

the pill as soon as she is fertile. I have tried depo (shot every 3

months) and lunelle (shot every month) myself and hated both of

them... the depo most of all. The pill just really seems to have the

fewest side effects and would be the easiest for the time being. it

is possible to use the pill to stop periods as well but I do not know

what complications that has long term. I am hoping, fingers crossed,

that our daughter will be able to deal with the hygiene issues

associated with periods, but I know only time will tell.

Lyn

June 26, 2002

I have been reading the posts on puberty and I am also scared of the teenage

years with my daughter .

Now, I don't know if this would help , but I have been on the Depo-Vera birth

control shot for the past 4 months. With this shot, you don't get a period.

You do get spotting around the time for another shot. This may post-pone the

inevitable, but for girls who are totally freaked out by mensus, this may be a

solution.

Take Care,

Leigh

---------------------------------

August 15, 2002

Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help, I have a daughter who is mild/moderate autism.

This past year has been a nightmare, she just blows and really goes through

the ceiling. I have asked Judevine and the Department of Mental Health for

help and I hear she is going through puberty and this is it. I want my

daughter back, I tried the meds and they were a bust. What are you guys doing

with older girls.

Thanks

August 15, 2002

If you can increase her physical activity it will help. My daughter has very

difficult behaviors that began in puberty and the extra swimming biking etc

really helps. It is really not that much different than some typical girls

but with a twist. Hope this helps.

August 15, 2002

My daughter started Trileptal a few months ago & it REALLY helped with her

'explosions'. Spoke w/ a friend yesterday (12 y/o old autistic daughter).

Her daughter got her period about 8 months ago & she's recently started The

Pill. It's only been 1 month, but she's noticed an improvement in behavior.

The way the Dr. prescribed it, her daughter does not take the placebo pills

& will get her period once every 3 months.

Once my daughter gets her period, my plan is to also put her on The Pill.

Anyway, don't know if your daughter has her period yet, but the Trileptal

helped with the explosive behavior.

Good luck

Mona

Re: puberty

Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help, I have a daughter who is mild/moderate autism.

This past year has been a nightmare, she just blows and really goes

through

the ceiling. I have asked Judevine and the Department of Mental Health for

help and I hear she is going through puberty and this is it. I want my

daughter back, I tried the meds and they were a bust. What are you guys

doing

with older girls.

Thanks

September 1, 2002

My daughter started getting breast buds at 8.5 yrs old. However, she just

turned 13 & hasn't started menstruating yet.

puberty

Does anyone have a daughter that hit puberty very early? Early as

in

age 9! If so please email me cheezer@... My daughter has

gotten extremely moody lately too.

Charlene

September 1, 2002

Hi Charlene

My oldest daughter Coral (not autistic) started being moody around the

same time each month at the age of 9. She also developed breasts that

year and by the end of grade 4 was having to wear a bra. She was the

only one in her grade that was developed and she didn't much like it.

Then at the age of 10 she had her first period. But I definately

noticed that her moods would be around the same time each month for

about a year before she got her first period. I took her to our doctor

and he said that puberty can occur anywhere between the ages of 9 and

16. He said 9 is uncommon but not unheard of. Good luck

Tracey

cheezer wrote:

> Does anyone have a daughter that hit puberty very early?

> Early as in

> age 9! If so please email me cheezer@... My daughter

> has

> gotten extremely moody lately too.

> Charlene

>

September 1, 2002

My daughter showed the first signs of puberty at age 5 so she was

diagnosed with precocious puberty.. it has been an extrememly slow

process and now at the age of 8 still has not begun menustrating.

The docs tell me anything happening at age 8 or beyond is normal. I

was also told that it is common for kids with neurological problems

to also have extremely early puberty.

Lyn

September 1, 2002

I dont understand why these kids are developing faster! Some say

autism, some say growth hormones in the food, some say kids are eating

healthier. Whatever the reason I think its unfair especially if there body

is age 16 while there brain is age 7. Thanks for letting me know .

Charlene

-- Re: puberty