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The NSPCC has produced a set of resources on puberty and sexual development for parents and carers of children and young adults with a learning disability.
The resources are designed to help parents and carers support the young person through the physical and emotional challenges of puberty, as they may find it difficult to understand the changes happening, manage their emotions, and communicate how they are feeling to others.
They might also be confused by changes in their bodies and find it difficult to understand what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate behaviour. The guidance says that understanding the differences between public and private will help a young person to behave in safe and appropriate ways.
- Further reading: Autism: how to cope with puberty
Puberty can be a confusing time for young people with a learning disability
Puberty can start from eight years old, but it can often begin later. These changes will usually go on for a few years after puberty starts, but most young people will finish puberty by the time they turn 18 years.
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The guidance also says that puberty can be a challenging time for parents and carers too. They may find it embarrassing or difficult to know how to talk about the changes their child is going through, and may have many questions about how to support them.
There are two guides that offer advice, guidance, and practical tips on navigating puberty as well as humping and thrusting behaviour. There is also a series of symbolised booklets that look at things like body hair, erections, masturbation, periods, sweating, body odour and wet dreams.
These resources have been created by NSPCC’s Together for Childhood Stoke in collaboration with key local partners.
The symbols and language used in these resources are intentionally simple. These resources have been made accessible for anyone who requires a screen reader by using NVDA.
