The Autism-Friendly Guide to Periods

by Robyn Steward

Written by autistic author Robyn Steward, this is a detailed guide for young people aged 9 to 16 on the basics of menstruation. Created in consultation with young people, an online survey and a group of medical professionals, this is a book that teaches all people about periods, which can be a scary and overwhelming issue. Promoting the fact that everyone either has periods or knows someone who does, the book reduces the anxiety girls face in asking for help. It offers direct advice on what periods look and feel like and how to manage hygiene and pain. It also breaks up information using flaps and step-by-step photos of how to change pads and tampons, it discusses alternatives to tampons and pads, and gives information about possible sensory issues for people with autism.

Genres: Nonfiction, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Parenting, Middle Grade, Health, Disability, Childrens

96 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2019

About the author

Robyn Steward is a young woman on the Autism spectrum. She was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome aged 11, she went to mainstream school, she has built up her own business providing training for professionals working with people on the Autism spectrum as well as consultancy, Robyn has experience of mentoring others on the spectrum, she has a high media profile having spoken on the today program, CNN, BBC Breakfast and had her own documentary on radio 4 , as well as appearing in print media including the sunday times, the guardian and SEN magazine,
Robyn is an ambassador for the NAS ( national autistic society) and supports them to champion the rights of people on the spectrum.
Robyn's first book " The independent woman's handbook for super safe living on the Autistic Spectrum" was published in september 2013.
Robyn has spoken internationally in the USA, Canada , Australia , Denmark and Russia.
she is also an artist and musician,

Reviews

[Danni Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to preview this book and assess its trans/nonbinary-friendliness. I am happy to say that I can comfortably recommend it. It does a fairly good job of gender-neutralizing the content and using terms like "people with uteruses", "people who get periods / don't get periods" appropriately. They do use "female/male reproductive system" which is less-than-optimal, and there's a page where they're like "these are some people who get periods" to show that lots of people someone might know do get periods, and an analogous "these are some people who don't get periods" page to show that it's okay to talk to people you trust about periods even if they don't also get periods, but the photos on those pages appear pretty gender-homogenous. That said, it is a very good book, it's certainly the best I've seen, it does a GREAT job of addressing things like sensory issues for both hyper- and hypo-sensitives, breaking down different interpersonal interactions around menstruation and how to navigate them, explanations of how to use all different types of menstrual products geared toward different learning styles.

One caution: if you're the sort of person who might feel uncomfortable reading a book in a public place with large photos of menstrual products that are dyed to look like someone used them, maybe do not read this book on the train like I did.

Also, if reading the book with a child whose English dialect is not from the UK, be prepared to explain some UK expressions (I, a US-ian, had to look some up myself!)

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book. It covered several topics, such as sensory issues and when/with whom to talk about periods, that I haven't seen addressed in other books about periods and puberty.

I absolutely loved the photos! One of the stressful things about getting a period as an autistic tween/teen was how different it looks than the commercials with their blue liquids being poured onto uncomfortable-looking paper products (and we don't actually pour it onto them from a beaker either, so confusing!). So it's wonderful to me that there are pictures of what a used pad and tampon will look like, as well as an example of spotting, and how it can look when you wipe and find blood there.

The clear photographed visuals would've been so helpful for me when I was that age. There's no nudity shown, just photos of a reproductive system model, and various menstrual products being placed within the model or on a pair of underwear. The way they showed the photographed examples made a lot of sense and the descriptions were clear, concise, and easy to understand.

Some of the idioms (for hinting about needing menstrual products instead of overtly asking for something) were more UK-specific and mostly not phrases I've heard in the US, but parents should be able to help with alternative phrasings if needed. I was mostly able to figure out what they meant by the context.

This book is written in a gender-neutral way. It's good to remember that a higher percentage of autistic people are trans, gender nonconforming, and/or nonbinary compared to the general public, so when choosing a health-specific resource for your autistic tween/teen it can be helpful to avoid very gendered resources.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caveat: I am not autistic, so I will bow to others' assessment of how autism friendly this truly is.

That said, WOW, what an amazing resource! I really appreciate that the book includes real photographs of what unused and used menstrual products look like. I honestly could have really used this as a youngster, just so I better knew what to expect. There are many diagrams showing specifically how to use various menstrual products, and excellent information about what is normal and not normal, and what it feels like. There are also wonderful practical tips about where to store menstrual products, and even how to use the various trash cans that one might encounter for their disposal. Plus, it also offers social tips about how people usually talk about menstruation, how to ask a friend or teacher for a tampon, etc. And on top of all that, it avoids unnecessarily gendered language, too, using phrases like "people with wombs" and "people who menstruate."

Portions of the book are designed to work with a grid (which one can cut out of the book or photocopy) that allows the reader to view the information in smaller amounts.

Overall this just seems genius and I am so glad it exists.

[Angela Hedworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful to describe menstruation for even children that are not autistic but LD. Highly recommend. Perfect amount of scientific information balanced with practical information -- ie how to wear a pad, how to change a pad, etc. I read it with my LD daughter and non-LD daughter and both found it helpful.

[Ally]

Important addition for libraries with youth collections!

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent factual resource with lots of accurate diagrams, visual aids, and step by step procedures to help girls on the spectrum prepare for menarche. I talked through this with a 13yo lass who was visibly calmer as a result. The book helped us discuss concerns and questions which otherwise would have gone unasked

[Aimee Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great guide for young women about periods. Full stop. What makes it helpful for autistics is its clarity, format, pictures, and practical advice. That made it practical for non-autistic girls too. I wish I would have had this earlier as a mother.

[Katie Cat Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle grade. Periods. Stuff they don't teach you in school.

This book covers periods on many different levels and includes photograph examples.

The author is autistic and grew up experiencing periods.

The book includes a cut out cover up page so readers can read in public and have privacy while reading.

I'm always interested in books on periods (go with the flow is super!) and while this book is targeted towards those on the autistic spectrum and discusses issues only neurodivergents experience, I think all girls and teens would benefit from this book. It discusses, snd shows in photos, things not covered in school, like - how much is a heavy flow, different types on sanitary supplies including menstrual underwear and cups, and has useful info on the biology, hormonal and emotional cycle of a period. A must read for all young girls (and anyone else who might be curious!)

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for people who are just starting or haven't started their periods yet.

The information is straight forward and high level. There's paragraph-sized explanations of what periods are, what to expect, and how they can differ from person to person. I was surprised that the majority of this book focuses on the basics of periods before getting to potentially autism-specific parts of having a period. The book talks about how different sanitary products can feel different and other things to keep in mind. I think I was expecting more information on the mental and emotional pieces of having a period, but I can see this being a helpful introductory guide.

[Rebecca B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this before giving it to my daughter. It's a great guide to what to expect from periods and how to manage them, written in clear and mostly age-appropriate language. There were a few occasions where a term was used before it was properly explained, also one section talks about how some cultures view using tampons as being like losing virginity, which depending on the age of the reader might be confusing (it is marketed for ages 9 to 16) but apart from that I think it's a really useful book.

[Josie Lewis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't think this book is very inclusive at all. It was so complicated, more than the other guide to periods which wasn't "autism-friendly". I bought this hoping it would help my sister (who has autism and is thirteen). She can't read and is completely non-verbal, so I hoped it would be clear and easy to understand. I opened the book and it was filled with complex and long winded explanations with words like "follicle-stimulating-hormones". I'm sure it was helpful to some, but it really wasn't "autism-friendly" for people who are largely non-verbal.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very clear and concise general neutral look at periods for people who may worry or be unclear about what to expect. It uses photos really well, explains why people might not like to talk about periods around other people, and really works hard to be reassuring and factual. A great guide for most people.

[Nyambura]

from my newsletter:

As a person who finds tips for neuro-divergent people useful, and who is always keen on acquiring information that would help a child navigate life; this was a great read. Really quick and with visual information as well as gender-neutral language that is wonderfully inclusive.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am 37 years old and don’t have autism, but I still thought this book was amazing. So clear and understandable, and it covers anatomical, emotional, practical, and even social aspects of periods. I think it should be required reading for everyone.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! If you just put a different front cover it would be excellent for any child. Really made my talk with my daughter 100% easier

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am long past the point of needing this book but decided to check it out to see if I’d recommend it to clients. The book is very clear and helpful. It includes info on what periods are, why we have them, common worries, period supply choices, and step-by-step guides on how to use each type. I would definitely recommend this—not just for autistic people but for anyone new to periods.