Talking to Your Child About Puberty
Talking to your child about ‘grown-up’ things – body parts, puberty, periods, relationships – can feel awkward for any parent. It’s enough to make anyone want to run for the hills, and this can feel even trickier when you are supporting a child with Autism or an intellectual disability.
Thankfully, NSW Health has come to the rescue with Planet Puberty – an online world of resources, workshops and practical tools to help you navigate this new stage. The site also includes links to picture books, flash cards and helpful resources to support learning and understanding.
Topics Covered
Planet Puberty covers a wide range of topics in detail, with practical and accessible supporting resources.
- The Body (body changes, periods, penises, breasts and growing taller, to name just a few topics)
- Feeling Good (positive self-image, mood swings, masturbation and more)
- Identity (positive self-image, gender, sexuality and LGBTIQ+)
- Keeping Safe (consent, cyber safety, safe people, personal space, decision-making and social media)
Online Workshops
These include parent-only topics such as masturbation, periods, managing mood changes, wet dreams and erections.
Register for an online workshop NOW
Podcasts
Listen to parents, carers and professionals share their experiences supporting a child with disability through puberty, along with practical tips you can use to help your child navigate this new stage with confidence.
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