Supporting Minimally Verbal Autistic Girls with Intellectual Disabilities Through Puberty: Perspectives of Parents and Educators

Limited research has examined puberty in autistic girls, yet alone those who are minimally verbal and with additional intellectual disabilities. In this study, ten parents and ten educators were interviewed about their views and experiences of supporting these girls through puberty. Results demonstr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of autism and developmental disorders 2020-07, Vol.50 (7), p.2439-2448
Main Authors: Cummins, Clare, Pellicano, Elizabeth, Crane, Laura
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autism
Autistic children
Behavioral Science and Psychology
Body hair
Breasts
Child and School Psychology
Coping
Early Adolescents
Education
Females
Girls
Growth
Hair
Human Dignity
Intellectual disabilities
Intellectual Disability
Menstruation
Neurosciences
Original Paper
Parent Attitudes
Parents & parenting
Pediatrics
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Population
Psychological aspects
Psychology
Puberty
Public Health
Social aspects
Social Support Groups
Teacher Attitudes
Teachers
Teaching
Teaching Experience
Teenage girls
Verbal Ability
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Summary:Limited research has examined puberty in autistic girls, yet alone those who are minimally verbal and with additional intellectual disabilities. In this study, ten parents and ten educators were interviewed about their views and experiences of supporting these girls through puberty. Results demonstrated that many parents had concerns prior to the onset of puberty in these girls. Yet, for most girls, experiences of puberty were felt to be positive, with the girls coping well with changes that they were experiencing (e.g. menstruation, breast development and developing body hair). Thematic analysis of interview data highlighted three main themes: a range of individual experiences and needs; the importance of promoting dignity and respect; and identifying ways to support these girls through puberty.
ISSN:0162-3257
1573-3432
DOI:10.1007/s10803-018-3782-8