SEN girls and periods

[PrincessHairyMclary]

I'm a Science TA at a Secondary school I've been set the task of explaining periods to a group of our girls (with autism, aspergers and other needs), they have all studied reproduction but aren't applying the menstral cycle to what is happening to their bodies and are finding it difficult to adjust, the parents have had 'the talk' and some of the parents have asked if the school can try and step in and support them.

My question is, what strategies have you used with your own daughters (or any other tips) to explain periods?

I really want to support them but not quite sure where to start, although I have googled and found some promising looking websites.

Have you tried contacting the School Nurse and the local Learning Disabilities services? They should have some resources that you might find helpful.

As your local special school ? They must have resources. Or back to babette Cole and mummy laid an egg and hair in funny places. Grand for inquisitive 5-6yr old but actually pretty factual and non patronising.

Brilliant ideas thank you. it was sprung on me at the end of the day but I'll definetly follow up on those suggestions.

My poor daughter with aspergers also has mennorragea to cope with. She is on medication to stop her flooding & fainting.

But she's coped brilliantly with it so I'm afraid I have no advice. It's not an area she struggles with.

I think you have to be very clear about things & not try & put things in flowery language. Autistic children don't get inference & struggle with analogies.