Puberty in girls with learning disabilities

Bodily growth

Your child’s body will increases in height and weight, bones will thicken, muscles will develop and their hips will widen.

Breast development

This is usually the first physical sign of puberty and size varies from woman to woman.

Pubic and body hair

Hair will grow and thicken around their vagina, armpits and others parts of the body such as their legs.

Body odour

Changes in your child’s hormones will make them sweat more which means that they may smell more and need to wash more often.

Acne

Changes in your child’s hormones may affect their skin which may lead to acne or an increase in spots.

Periods

Most girls start their periods between 11 and 13 years old but it can be younger than this. When your child gets their period blood will come out of their vagina. Periods happen every month and usually last for 4 to 7 days. You child’s back, tummy or head might hurt and they may feel more angry or sad than usual.

Masturbation

Masturbation is when people touch their own genitals for pleasure. It is a healthy and normal part of development and does not cause emotional or physical harm if this is done in a private and safe place.

Sexual development

Your child may become more aware of the differences between men and women, and how they feel about other people.

Social and emotional development

Changes in your child’s hormones may impact on their emotions and their ability to emotionally regulate. Puberty can be a confusing time for young people, and is often a time when young people explore their identity and how they fit into social groups.

Communication

Use the correct words and phrases. Do not use pet names or slang. Be consistent, brief and simple and repeat the information often. You should link with other environments, such as school, to make sure you are using the same words, phrases and boundaries.

Be clear and concrete with your communication. Do not expect your child to pick up on euphemisms or indirect language. You could also use visual communication (signs, symbols, photographs) where appropriate.

The ‘private’ and ‘public’ concept

Understanding these concepts helps to support your child to keep safe. These are abstract concepts so you will need to help your child to understand them. Public and private relates to actions and parts of the body as well as space. You can make these concepts real by using rules, boundaries, and modelling appropriate behaviour and language.

Private

This can be described as being alone in a place where no one else can see or interrupt your child (for example their bedroom, a toilet at home, the shower or bath). You need to help the young person understand parts of the body that are ok to touch in private, and actions that are ok to do in private (for example touch self, masturbate, toilet, wash).

Public

This is a place where anyone can go and where other people will be around (for example, a shop, a classroom). You need to help the young person understand parts of the body ok to touch in public, and actions that are ok to do in public (for example, eating, talking to friends and so on).

Set rules and boundaries

You should think about what rules you want to have in the home. For example, knocking on bedroom doors before entering, always wearing clothes in front of others, undressing in the bedroom, masturbation in the bedroom only, using the toilet with the door shut and so on. Be clear and consistent with these rules.

Think about your child’s personal care routine and whether you can develop any daily routines and rules about hygiene and personal care.

It is helpful to model the rules and boundaries (for example, go to the toilet with the door shut and so on).