The Growing Up Guide for Girls is a one-stop guide for young girls on the autism spectrum explaining all they need to know about puberty and adolescence.

The pre-teen and teenage years are a bumpy time when bodies change, emotions are high and peers are developing at different paces. Using simple, literal language and delightful colour illustrations, this book explains the facts about body changes such as growing hair in new places, periods, wearing a bra and keeping spots away! It gives cool tips on what makes a real friend, what it means to have a crush on somebody, and how to stay safe online. Most importantly, it explains that every body is beautiful and unique and encourages young girls with autism to celebrate difference! Perfect preparation for the teenage years for girls aged 9-14.

This book is part of a book series called Growing Up .

There are 72 pages in this book. This is a guide book. This book was published 2015 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers .

Kathleen Watkins was a well-known harpist and folk singer and continuity announcer and is married to broadcaster Gay Byrne. Margaret Anne Suggs teaches as a lecturer in the Illustration department at Ballyfermot College of Further Education where she founded the Illustration course. Davida Hartman is the Director and Senior Educational Psychologist at The Children's Clinic, Dublin, providing child and educational psychology services to children 0-18. She is a lecturer and trainer in the area of autism and consults to a number of different groups and agencies. She has been working with children and adolescents on the autism spectrum for sixteen years in the capacity of a psychologist and a teacher. Davida received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin, her MA in Educational Psychology from University College Dublin, and she is a Registered Psychologist with the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). Her website can be visited at www. thechildrensclinic. ie.

This book has the following chapters: Advice for Parents and Professionals. Introduction. 1. Bodies. 2. Hair. 3. Breasts. 4. Hygiene. 5. Clothes. 6. Skin. 7. Periods. 8. Emotions. 9. Crushes. 10. Friends. 11. The Internet. 12. Your Body Belongs to You. 13. I am Me. All I Ever Need to Be. 14. What About the Boys? Further Reading.