Autistic Girls and Puberty: deciding on the IUD
My 12 yo daughter is autistic and going through puberty. She has minimal verbal skills and needs help doing more complex self care like brushing her teeth and showers. Since she has started her period we’ve noticed certain setbacks in her independence. Because she is not particularly verbal, it’s hard for us to understand what she’s going through.
We have decided on the IUD for the following reasons:
- her dr recommended It
- we trust her dr.
Self care is very important for future independence. My daughter has sensory issues and has a difficult time being dirty in any way. She used to take several showers a day while potty training. Since starting her period, her toilet training has regressed because the sanitary products feel like pull ups.
The iud will lessen and hopefully stop her cycles. The hormone is a low dose and localized so it won’t affect bone density or development. And if it doesn’t work, the iud can easily be removed whereas the shot would just have to wear our.
I hope by sharing this information, other parents of autistic daughters can feel less alone. There is so little out there on autistic Teenagers and puberty.
Take care. You aren’t alone.
I have an autistic son, so we do not have to deal with the issue of periods. It is not easy to raise autistic children and at times we do feel alone. I am also sharing my experience as well especially on the mistakes that I have made.
https://steemit.com/positivechallenge/@positivesteem/positive-vibes-daily-challenge-hope-friday-my-hopes-for-my-autistic-son-jonathan
Do take part in this challenge to encourage others.
I have an autistic son who is a teenager. It is not easy. You are not alone either.
I am an Occupational Therapist, and I appreciate you speaking out in regards to this issue. Self-care independence is SO VITAL, and as a therapist who works in the pediatric setting, is what I tend to focus most on. I can only imagine the difficulty a decision like this must pose for you, and the sensitivity this topic can bring, but I applaud you for using this platform as a means to communicate with others, to approach a sensitive subject in such a loving way and impact those around you who are in the same boat, and who are feeling isolated. :)
Thank you so much for your kind words. Her OT was the key to break throughs when she was first diagnosed. Thank you for the work you do.
I really hope everything goes okay with you and your daughter.
Take care.
As a nurse who has worked with autistic children I thank you for being so vulnerable. I hope that as you make this important decision that you also consider something else for her benefit. Check out the best foods for Autism for cognitive health info.
The sulforaphane found in five cents’ worth of broccoli sprouts is found to benefit autism in a way no drug ever has in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Their is only one ASD school that I know that has picked up this info. I hope adding this will provide an added comfort to your life with your daughter. This groundbreaking research is easy to access on nutritionfacts.org
Thank you for this info. My daughter has very specific food preferences so veggies are hard, but I am trying to diversify her diet. I do believe that carbs and sugars affect her cognition. It’s difficult with divorced parents. I can’t always be sure what he’s feeding her.
Good luck! I hope this is a good solution for your daughter ❤️
My son is 7. I dread the day when the hormones kicks in
An IUD is an intrauterine device