The Girls' Guide to Growing Up: Choices & Changes in the Tween Years Paperback – December 8, 2011

I purchased this book back in December when it was first released to have for my 11 year old daughter with Down Syndrome. The book arrived around the same time a friend's daughter (ASD) had her first period so it was put to the test immediately and passed with flying colors!! It covered all the necessary information in a form that her daughter was able to use to successfully manage the surprise onset of her periods! ( she is also 11 and mom thought she had more time so no preparation had been done.)The information is written in a clear, no frill, practical format with LOTS of very (graphic) helpful pictures that are also tasteful. We also loved the larger font that makes it easier to read. My own daughter has read this book repeatedly and she has asked many good questions that prove she is understanding the content!I really can not say enough about this book! If you have a young lady with a developmental disability, you really NEED this book. Unlike the other books about sexuality, this one is written FOR the kids. It has been passed around within our group and everyone has loved it.The only complaint so far has come from the parents of BOYS! They need a book talking about the issues relating to puberty for their sons!Well done and thank you for writing it!

This was perfect for my teenager on the spectrum. Pictures and written simply. We went through it together a few times, then I had her put it on her bookshelf. Every now and then I see it on her bed which makes me think she uses it as a reference every now and then to help undercover body her own way instead of me telling her over and over again (which is what I wanted). It allows her to get comfortable and understand on her terms. Would definitely recommend for anyway, but great for those with disabilities.

Great book for my 12 year old with Down syndrome. She enjoyed reading it and the simple explanations paired with visuals is exactly what she needed! It was helpful to me as a mom too to learn how to explain certain concepts !

I love this book for my 9 year old. There is a section about masturbation that I felt could have been left out. Too much for my kid so we skipped it. Other than that, it was am easy read for her

This purchase was intended as gifts for others. We purchased this book years ago for our personal use for future planning -my daughter was probably 9 at the time. It is simple and straightforward and worked extremely well for our purposes. My daughter has Down syndrome and handled it so well when her cycle came that others were amazed. No need, just months of repetition with good information. I highly recommend this book!

An Asperger's 11-year-old worked through this book with her mom and now she's not afraid of getting her period some day. She feels prepared with knowledge. This book was a good start before they moved on to the next book in their "puberty studies at my own pace" class, The Care and Keeping of You from the American Girls series of books. I borrowed it and read the whole book in just 20 minutes. Good layout, helpful photos and pictures. Any girl could benefit from exposure to this book.

I am a special ed. teacher. Usually our school nurse teaches family life to our fifth graders. This year it was left to the teachers. I was very nervous. I ended up making a presentation from different resources from the internet. I found this book just before the date to teach family life. I loved how they gave simple clear rules for flirting. The book was well organized. It discussed matters in simplest terms.

This was a great book and very helpful to guiding conversations with my child. I appreciate the appropriate level of details, pictures and themes. Very straight forward and concrete in explanations. I highly recommend this book.

It's one of the better books I've found but the Amercian terminology e.g butt for bottom is unhelpful. The puberty "workshop" I attended and other guides I've read all stress it's important to teach vulnerable children the proper terms for bodily parts. My advice-try the Family Planning Association.

I found this an excellent resource for my 13 yr old special needs daughter. Very simple and easy to follow

My 10 yr old daughter has high functioning autism and loves this book. It clearly but simply explains puberty.

A great visual, comprehensive guide that my 11 year old with Down syndrome can read herself.

My daughter has an intellectual disability, and I knew this would be a tricky subject for us. This book is great, it has very graphic pictures which makes it easier for her to understand. It's repetitive, and has boxes of texts to really hit home what is 'private' versus what is 'public', which is so very important. We have already gone through parts of it, and I really felt like the book was a huge help. I would suggest going through and reading this yourself first, so you can decide what, if anything, needs to wait for your daughter to learn about.