Re: Re: Preparing for menstruation

[Guest guest]

Ditto here,

I was really worried when Allie hit that stage, then it turned out to be

years! :-)

It really went quite well for us, and I'm proud of how my daughter's done.

She was reasonably relaxed and very matter of fact when she started, very

positive and cooperative. Preparation is the key. The materials are a

big help, especially if your daughter can comprehend the illustrations. The

[book] text is short and not too complicated, and I truly found it helpful

when we began to talk about B.O. and other associated issues.

We also tried really hard to make sure Allie's feelings about it would be

positive.

All her Aunts, Grandma's, and adult female cousins just " happened " to call

or text or email the day Allie started. They said " No, did you really? "

and " Way to go! " or " Well done! " or " Good job! " and shared stories about

their first days or first years, and answer her questions [all primed by me to

keep things mostly positive or amusing]. We wanted her to feel it was a

little special, and feel female support and encouragement.

Sandi in Houston

In a message dated 1/11/2011 10:46:42 A.M. Central Standard Time,

davick92@... writes:

But, I used the power point mentioned, as well as a book called " The Care

and Keeping of You " from the American Girl series. I was worried, just like

you, about how my daughter would react. But, since she was prepared ahead

of time for what was to come, she did very well.

-Vicky in IL

[Guest guest]

I appreciate your post, Sandi....good stuff!

Thanks,

:-)

> Ditto here,

>

> I was really worried when Allie hit that stage, then it turned out

> to be

> years! :-)

>

> It really went quite well for us, and I'm proud of how my

> daughter's done.

> She was reasonably relaxed and very matter of fact when she

> started, very

> positive and cooperative. Preparation is the key. The materials

> are a

> big help, especially if your daughter can comprehend the

> illustrations. The

> [book] text is short and not too complicated, and I truly found it

> helpful

> when we began to talk about B.O. and other associated issues.

>

> We also tried really hard to make sure Allie's feelings about it

> would be

> positive.

>

> All her Aunts, Grandma's, and adult female cousins just " happened "

> to call

> or text or email the day Allie started. They said " No, did you

> really? "

> and " Way to go! " or " Well done! " or " Good job! " and shared stories

> about

> their first days or first years, and answer her questions [all

> primed by me to

> keep things mostly positive or amusing]. We wanted her to feel it

> was a

> little special, and feel female support and encouragement.

>

> Sandi in Houston

[Guest guest]

Someone posted a while back that they helped prepare their daughter by having

her try different sanitary napkins prior to the start of menstruation.  When

menstruation did come, she was already comfortable with wearing sanitary napkins

and knew which brand and size felt the most comfortable.  Recently, I started

having my 8 1/2 year old (already budding breasts and hips) daughter, practice

wearing sanitary napkins.  She is getting comfortable with it, and is actually

laughing about it from time to time (haven't had the heart to tell her that when

it does come it WON'T be funny :-)).  I feel that along with talking about

menstruation, this was the best thing I could do for my ASD daughter.  It

really helped since she is a visual learner and is also dx'd with an anxiety

disorder and phobias.

Karmen

Re: Re: Preparing for menstruation

 

I appreciate your post, Sandi....good stuff!

Thanks,

:-)

> Ditto here,

>

> I was really worried when Allie hit that stage, then it turned out

> to be

> years! :-)

>

> It really went quite well for us, and I'm proud of how my

> daughter's done.

> She was reasonably relaxed and very matter of fact when she

> started, very

> positive and cooperative. Preparation is the key. The materials

> are a

> big help, especially if your daughter can comprehend the

> illustrations. The

> [book] text is short and not too complicated, and I truly found it

> helpful

> when we began to talk about B.O. and other associated issues.

>

> We also tried really hard to make sure Allie's feelings about it

> would be

> positive.

>

> All her Aunts, Grandma's, and adult female cousins just " happened "

> to call

> or text or email the day Allie started. They said " No, did you

> really? "

> and " Way to go! " or " Well done! " or " Good job! " and shared stories

> about

> their first days or first years, and answer her questions [all

> primed by me to

> keep things mostly positive or amusing]. We wanted her to feel it

> was a

> little special, and feel female support and encouragement.

>

> Sandi in Houston

[Guest guest]

That program was thought up by a therapist who does ABA & was able to break

the whole process down. What also helped was to write a menstruation book,

like a social story using info from the American Girls book (others have

mentioned the title which I can't recall at the moment). We wrote the M

book at her level & that helped too. She did what's called a task analysis

which assessed her level & then able to break it down into smaller steps.

Glad it's helping so far but the true test is how she handles it when her

period actually starts. I would also talk about blood in her panties,

cramps & other physical symptoms. She still doesn't understand the hormonal

changes & PMSing though.

-

Marie ‎ " Children with autism are not learning disabled, they are teaching

challenges. The question is not whether they can learn...the question is,

can YOU teach? " This is a quote from Dr. Carbone.