Category Archive

puberty

Autism and puberty: my 10-year-old is growing up, and I’m not ready

My ten-year-old daughter with Asperger’s syndrome just got her period. When my daughter was diagnosed several years ago as being on the Autism spectrum, I only thought so far as the toddler/elementary school years. Everyday things like getting dressed and playing with other kids were already such challenges, I just couldn’t wrap my head around what would happen when my daughter, you know, becomes a woman.

Buying Time: A feminist mom gets humbled

As a parent, I have accepted and even come to cherish the stages of development my kids weave in and out of … but I also more-recently realized, someday in the not-so-distant future, this little girl is going to fall in love, have sex, and quite likely have her heart broken.