On a personal level it has been tough for us in some ways and easy in others.. I have an advantage though that my boy is very verbal. Ross has always communicated in a very unusual way. He will take for ever to get to the point  and then at other times he cuts right to it and describes himself or his feelings with amazing accuracy. This has been very helpful when dealing with puberty issues. 

 

The tears, emotions, jealousys and insecurities that you think if in girls has all been there for my son. As is with most boys I assume.A situation will occur and it will escalate emotionally very very quickly. Then he will ....with his literal mind very quickly get to the point and I will think wow where did that come form? He said it beautifully.(whatever was bothering him.)

 

We started very early because he was interested very early. He watches movies and even in pg-13 ones sexuality is an issue. Homosexuality even came up at a very young age...thanks to a friends conversation at school.The biggest key is to not feel uncomfortable yourself and then your kids won't either. Some dicussions I have had to bring up....I need to be aware of areas that he has not asked about. He probably never would but in his literal mind it could become a problem.Thinking of girls, bodily functions his  bedsheets being changed are all things that I have had to push a bit more with in the sense he is oblivious and does not really notice. 

 

The need for bodily hygiene is the hardest. Constant reminders to shave or put on deodorant are endless. I worry that he will always need these reminders. I hear mothers of NT boys/men complain of the same things. Shaving is difficult for him. An electric razor is a must but he still misses so many places. The looking in the mirror 

 and being able to move left while looking in the mirror is something that takes practice. The same old visual motor problem.

 

Open communication and frank discussions about body changes and the willingness to discuss anything is a must. We are very open here. I will never forget when Ross had his very first pubic hair. He was so happy he ran yelling across the house letting everyone know about it. He wanted his dad and I to see it.His body changed before his mind did ....definitely. It took time for them both to fit.The normal body shyness that kids get on the onset of puberty did not happen for him till much later. That was a struggle because we had a pool at the time.Changing clothes on front of friends was always an issue till later.

 

He likes girls of course but is still very shy. He is happy just liking from afar.Thank goodness. A girlfriend is not something he/me are ready for.Then on the other hand I worry he will never be ready...so goes our lives.The constant back and forth of feelings.

 

Trace