Puberty generally begins between the ages of eight and thirteen. Preparing your child for the changes that come with puberty can be helpful. There are plenty of useful tools and resources to assist parents and educators.
Resources
Approaching 16
An overview of what you need to know when your child turns 16, including identification documents, tax file numbers, Medicare, NDIS, payments and allowances and more.
Sexuality, Relationships and Your Rights
This helpful resource discusses sexuality and the law for people of all abilities and incorporates social and language changes.
Talk Soon. Talk Often.
A useful tool for parents and carers to begin the conversation around sexual development, keeping the lines of communication open and talking often.
Kick-starting your child's career journey
Practical tips and information to help families plan constructively for their child’s future employment.
Frequently asked questions
I need to start talking to my daughter about the changes that are about to happen to her body but I don’t know where to start.
Open and honest communication is key. Start now by introducing age-appropriate information about body changes and sexuality. Use visual aids, social stories, or books specifically designed for children with disabilities to facilitate understanding. Adapt the information based on your child’s cognitive level and provide ongoing support and reassurance.
SECCA provide some great resources, including education, counselling and consulting as well as the SECCA App, which is a free innovative teaching resource to support relationships and sexuality education for people of all ages and abilities. Alternatively, book in for a session with one of our Kiind Peer Navigators.
How can I help my child understand about consent and boundaries in relationships?
You can begin to teach your child about personal boundaries, appropriate touching, and the concept of consent using examples and social stories. Role-play scenarios may also help them to practice recognising and expressing consent.
Talk about the importance of respecting others’ boundaries and empower them to assert their own boundaries. Reinforce the message that they have the right to say no and that their feelings and boundaries should be respected. If necessary, involve a sexuality educator such as SECCA or Sexual Health Quarters, (SHQ). Alternatively, Speak with one of our Kiind Peer Navigators.