Tips with Periods for Preteen/Teen AS/Dyspraxic Girls ?

[EverybodyKnows]

DSD is 11 - currently being assessed for ASD/Dyspraxia, SENCO is doing tests and observations and we are currently awaiting fo the appointment at CAMHS.

Yesterday, she started her period. Luckily, she wasn't in shock as I had explained it all to her in the past year when she started developing and said to expect it happening. I'm very pleased she's not freaked out but she was very teary and a bit put off by the blood.

Problem is, she has massive sensory issues with clothes and touch. Towels are not going down well at all and I suggested tampons but she tried 3 times this morning and I think she was just too shaky and it wouldn't work.

She is really struggling with the whole thing and was quite distressed this morning before going to school. Any other mums out there who have been there and have tips, I'm feeling a bit lost.

I know I struggled with tampons for years, so perhaps you could try lots of different types of towels and see how she feels about them. If she's not got much flow you could try a panty-liner. i use the always ones and they are thin and soft feeling, so they might not bother her that much?

my DD is nowhere near that stage yet, but here's my twopennorth anyhow

most women have to trial and error on sanitary protection, and it'll be the same for you DD too. it took me years to get to grips with tampons - still prefer towels now tbh (TMI? i care not)

some of the thinner towels might feel too 'scratchy', would she be better off with some of the more traditional types until she gets used to the feeling and idea of needing to have something there?

have a look in some (i can't believe i'm saying this) teen mags, see what they are advertising? using these might help her to overcome some of the anxiety?

i had this problem with my dd she was 9 when she started her periods, she will only use always purples, she says these are the most comfortable for her, she tried lots of other brands but they made her sore, the ones with the wipes from always are not as soft as the normal always, hth

just realised some of the websites offer free samples,

Lots of good ideas- Thank you very much!

Will go to the chemist to see that I can find. Might just lay off the tampon thing and try and find a comfortable pad for now.

She also complained of how big they are compared to her nickers, she has a point. I might have to get her some bigger knickers for that time of the month.

Hello, my dd (14, AS) switches to larger size pants and uses the silk Always brand (white colour) as they don't tend to irritate her skin. I guess it's a matter of trial and errror until she finds a brand she likes.

Good luck.

I still don't get on with ordinary tampax ! But I find tampax compact are great as the applicator is smaller and plastic so they may work. Although she may still be a tad young for them

Bodyform regular. Cottony feel and she won't feel damp (what a description!!).

Sally

Thank you- I thought I was ready with having had the talk and looked at the pads together and stuff but seeing her walking out of her room with that look on her face was so sad.

She gets really distressed with wrong fabric/feel/tightness issues as she can't concentrate on anything else. It's taken 6 months to crack the wearing a bra/crop tops last year so I guess, with time, she will find what is right and feels okay for her.

We were here just over a year ago with dd then 10 who also has sensory issues with certain textures/clothes/touch/smell. Dd used to have trouble positioning them too and so it felt even less comfy. I drew on her knickers around a pad to give her a guide when she was at school. She took spare ones with a pad already stuck on. I second the purple Always too - nothing else will do for dd!

Purple or blue Always here too! DD wears her pads in her ordinary pants and I bought her the tighter 'seamfree' type tighter ones from Primark (3 for £6). She wears these over her pants and feels more secure with the tightness IYSWIM?
I don't think this makes any sense!!

Thanks to all for the good advice. Found Lil'Lets Teen range which are making smaller size pads and will shop for new knickers to help.

She was happy with the smaller pad and I said she can cut the wings if she didn't like them so she relaxed about it all.

So far she's been okay and it didn't ruin her week too much.