My little girl got her period!!

kellbell1982 · December 2014

Good morning ladies, I've been a little MIA lately just dealing with some depression and marriage issues but I've thought of you all a lot. As most of you know I have a nine year old daughter with ASD who is verbal but behind. Anyway, Saturday we were out running errands and she had to go potty and she gets up and there's blood on the seat and in the bowl. She's still a baby to me and I can't believe she got her period at nine! It strangely went away a few hours later. Sorry to post a dear diary but I'm so beside myself and feel really depressed about it for some reason. I've dreaded this happening for so long and I don't know how to make her understand. Anyone have any advice? Even just sharing a story about this would make me feel better, I feel terrible that I'm upset about it and made sure not to show it around her but I cry whenever I think of it.

mandi195 · December 2014

I would call and talk to her pediatrician. 9 seems awfully young for this (though I could be wrong). Also, the fact that it went away a few hours later is concerning and seems very odd.

Sorry you're dealing with this and it's so hard on you. Deep breaths momma.

kellbell1982 · December 2014

mandi195 said:
I would call and talk to her pediatrician. 9 seems awfully young for this (though I could be wrong). Also, the fact that it went away a few hours later is concerning and seems very odd.
Sorry you're dealing with this and it's so hard on you. Deep breaths momma.

I think I will cause I thought it going away was odd too and she's not showing any other puberty signs so I was caught off guard. She has little boobies but they seem just to be baby fat. No pubic hair or armpit hair or odor

kellbell1982 · December 2014

jennypm said:
Don't be surprised if it goes away for a few months before coming back. Also, I highly recommend this book if you haven't gotten it already:

https://www.amazon.com/Care-Keeping-American-Girl-Library/dp/1562476661

I'm not sure how far behind she is but you could read it with her and help her understand the changes in her body. Also, make sure she has a small, indiscreet bag of some sort to keep pads in her book bag and you may want to email her teachers to give them a heads up.

She loves American Girl since she's been seeing the commercials so I'm ordering this now. Thank you

gnomemom · December 2014

Oh wow! 9 is so young, but I guess that's common these days. I would probably be a bit emotional, too, if it were my baby.

When I was in the 4th grade, we had the usual sex ed stuff at school and learned about all of that stuff. Then the girls received care packages from O.B. a few weeks later. It had pads, OB tampons, and all sorts of little stuff like that. It was kind of exciting to go through it with my friends. We laughed at it all and felt very grown up for 9 year olds. So I would suggest you get her something like that to make it exciting for her. Not that periods are exciting, but she won't know that at first.

kellbell1982 · December 2014

@gnomemom‌ lol I remember when periods were exciting before we actually got them. We watched a movie in fifth grade called growing up on Broadway and it was the Broadway cast of Annie discussing periods. Lol what a random theme for a period video

kellbell1982 · December 2014

@racegurl87‌ Its more emotional for us moms I think than it is for our daughters. Everytime I think of the fact that my baby could physically have a baby of her own now I break down in tears. Nine is so young, she's just a baby to me and I even refer to her as the baby ex) the baby is sleeping lol people always ask what baby, I have to stop since I'm about to have an actual baby in the house

Unknown · December 2014

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colleen4019 · December 2014

It's bit that atypical- I work with kids diagnosed with ASD- we use the American girls book & an additional text called 'a girls guide to growing up' if you want to PM me I have a scanned copy I can email you. It has a bunch if puberty related activities & discussions. It setup like a textbook but it's greared towards special needs populations. Good luck!

caro5931 · December 2014

I got my period the summer between 4th and 5th grade. I was actually at overnight summer camp and I was so crabby and wanted to go home the whole week, which made a lot more sense when I got my period there! The camp workers thought I was too young and had internal bleeding or something, but nope, it was really just my period. It was a bit early but my doc said nothing concerning. Just from my personal experience, I would suggest you talk to the school nurse or teacher about keeping some emergency supplies for her. I know when I first had to go to school with it it was difficult for me because I was one of the only people with it in my grade. The teacher was informed to allow me to go to the nurse at any time and the nurse would have tampons, pads, wipes, etc and a large bathroom I could use. Or if they keep supplies in the staff bathroom you could ask if she could just go directly there when needed ( a bit less obvious than the nurses office). It's hard to be one of the only ones in your grade at school especially when you first get it and aren't really prepared and don't understand how to tell when you are getting the pms symptoms yet/ when exactly your period will come. Also maybe introduce her to the idea of a purse or clutch where she can keep her own supplies if she feels more comfortable with that. Just an idea, but don't worry she will be fine! As more people start to get it she will be well adjusted and helping them out:) lol

MrsPope1770 · December 2014

Glad to see you, @kellbell1982. I was wondering about you a week or two ago!

I know all about starting periods early. My pedi actually told my Mom when I was six that I was showing signs and that she needed to start talking to me about it. I started mine a few weeks before my 8th birthday--I will never forget it. I was in the Krystal bathroom after a softball game. I came out and told my parents and they both cried right there! I have literally had a regular period ever since. Awful, awful cramps right from the start also--I feel for her, and you, especially with the ASD component. You can do it!!!

I developed early and then just stopped around fifth grade--I think I maybe grew an inch total after age nine. I don't have any disorders that we know of, but I have always been told that I have to be extra vigilant about my reproductive health because I have more potential to develop female health issues.

Sorry for the long response. My early start was pretty rare, but I do think that 9 is probably a more common age--especially now.

Bluebell0315 · December 2014

No advice or anything, but I'll definitely say a prayer for ya'. My DD is 6 and just thinking about this gets me all emotional.

mamajack86 · December 2014

My parents were the worlds most awkward parents when I started my period. They made an event out of it. My mom made me a special dinner, called my grandma, aunts, etc. then my dad bought me flowers and was being all emo, it was weird. Anyways I was 11 and knew fully well what it all meant. I've had cousins though who started at 9-10yrs old. Consult with your pediatrician just to let them know. But if anything try to make this an easy transition for her as well. Good luck.

lewispm · December 2014

That has to be hard! 9 seems so young, and it is a bit earlier than most, but not totally unheard of. Some of us start early and some later. I was 16! I remember keeping tampons in my purse for 2 years and totally pretending I had gotten mine already when all my girlfriends talked about theirs. My best friend started at 10 and we are both pretty normal health wise, so the range can vary! I just didn't get boobs until practically college and she had them by middle school. Good luck with everything!

071115 · December 2014

Wow 9 seems so young.

Biscotto · December 2014

9 seems young, but its not unheard of these days. Sorry this is tough for you OP!

lynndavid6912 · December 2014

@kellbell1982‌ , I can't imagine how you must be feeling, and I know the ASD adds a whole different element.

I agree with PPs about starting to read some books with DD about what it all means. Not sure what her support team looks like or what her skills are, but another possibility would be to have her team write a social story (maybe a couple) that talk about her body changing and also what to do if she needs help with something body-related at school. Big hugs, mama!

mwerren · December 2014

Sending you hugs that everything gets easier for you. Nine does seem young...maybe call the doc just to make sure all is fine.

ST3WD · December 2014

*hugs* Mama! This has got to be overwhelming on top of everything. T&Ps you can figure something out that works for you and your growing daughter.

I'm guessing the "starting average" has shifted in the past few decades? I'm 23 now, and I remember about a third of the girls in my 4/5th grade classes having theirs. I was a late bloomer at 13, so I impatiently awaited mine when everyone else was becoming a young lady and I was still just a little girl. haha

My sister works at an autism treatment center, and had the suggestion of a calendar. She said it helps some of the girls figure out when to expect their cycle or communicate their PMS/PMDD symptoms.

Most of the girls pick out a regular wall calendar to dedicate to tracking their mood, any "bad" symptoms (cramping, bloating, headaches, nausea, etc.), and/or any bleeding/odd discharge. Some girls use stickers, some colorful markers, some just use their signing techniques and the parent will make a note of it. Maybe this will help?

peeppeeppeep · December 2014

ST3WD said:

My sister works at an autism treatment center, and had the suggestion of a calendar. She said it helps some of the girls figure out when to expect their cycle or communicate their PMS/PMDD symptoms.
Most of the girls pick out a regular wall calendar to dedicate to tracking their mood, any "bad" symptoms (cramping, bloating, headaches, nausea, etc.), and/or any bleeding/odd discharge. Some girls use stickers, some colorful markers, some just use their signing techniques and the parent will make a note of it. Maybe this will help?

Honestly, keeping a calendar with symptoms sounds like an awesome idea for all girls to start! I never did this until my early 30s when we first started TTC and it was still enlightening.

tatilopez · December 2014

Hey hope all is well.... Try not to be so down! Don't let her take your energy and feel as though this is something bad or that your upset with her for some reason.... I started my period at 9 also I will never forget so uncomfortable and just crazy. No girl in my class could relate to me I felt like I stuck out... But my mom at first cried and just explained to me that all women get this and at different times and it's just apart of growing up. There is a lot of cute little books for this age group that could maybe propel her feeling a bit more comfy and also maybe help you better communicate to her what's going on with her body... Read this thread to my mom and she says she totally understands what your going through and to tell you that it's totally normal to feel all the emotions you are feeling

ST3WD · December 2014

@kellbell1982 Side note- Yesterday my sister asked her boss who has two high functioning/verbal daughters for you. (She's so sweet like that.)

Her boss said try waiting until you get the book in, depending on how she responds to visual aides. She made it a fun experience by making red velvet cupcakes while explaining the basics of what was happening inside her girls' bodies.

She then helped the girls practice how to use pads. They opened new underwear packages and put them on to about their knees over their jeans. She showed them how open and place the pads. Whenever they did it correctly, they painted some spots on them with red glitter paint.

It sounds bizarre, but I suppose it helps cement the concept for them to "practice". My sister mentioned it really depends on your daughter's function level and how well she communicates things like stomachaches to you already. Does this help? She said she's willing to talk with you if you'd like additional support. Feel free to PM me if you'd like her email to brainstorm ideas.

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