Overview
Puberty can feel harder for some young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Changes in the body and feelings can be confusing. Some people may find new sensations or social situations more overwhelming.
This page shares where to find simple information to help you understand these changes and what they might feel like.
Experiencing changes
Puberty is when your body grows from a child to an adult. You will have body changes and feel different emotions.
Everyone goes through puberty at their own pace. It does not happen at the same time for everyone.
- Girls often start between ages 8 and 13
- Boys often start between ages 9 and 14
Puberty starts when the brain sends signals to the body. This causes hormones to be released, which lead to changes in the body. Some people start very early. Others start later. If you are worried, your parent or carer can speak to your doctor.
You can also text ChatHealth to ask a school nurse for advice. You do not need to give your name.
Understanding how to stop catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is important. The C-card scheme offers sexual health information and lets you pick up condoms for free.
Physical changes
Bodies change in stages during puberty. These changes happen over time and at different speeds.
Girls may notice:
- breasts growing
- body hair growing
- growth spurts (getting taller quickly)
- periods starting
- skin becoming oily or spotty
Boys may notice:
- testicles and penis growing
- body and facial hair growing
- growth spurts
- deeper voice
- more sweating
- erections and wet dreams
You can learn more in books like What’s happening to Ellie? and What’s happening to Tom? They explain the gradual changes that will happen to reduce worry.
Emotional changes
Hormones and life changes can affect how you feel.
You might:
- feel happy one day and upset the next
- get angry or frustrated more easily
- feel worried about changes
These feelings are normal and will not last forever.
Talking to someone you trust can help, like a parent, teacher or carer.
It can also be hard not to compare yourself to others. Everyone develops at their own pace, and there is no “right” way to look. Lots of pictures online will be airbrushed, or have filters, to stop them from looking real.
You cannot stop your body from changing. Some young people find this hard because you cannot choose when or how it happens. It can help to focus on things you can control, like choosing meals or making small choices in your day.
Teenagers can learn how to understand your brain and understand your feelings as part of our Togetherness online offer. Parent carers can also learn how to understand your teenager’s brain.
Shaving and hair removal
During puberty, more body hair may grow. This can be on your face, under your arms, on your legs or around your genitals.
Some people choose to trim or remove this hair. This is usually for personal, social or cultural reasons. Some people feel more comfortable or tidy. Others choose not to remove hair at all. Both choices are okay.
Shaving can take time to learn, and some people may find it harder. These tips can help:
- It can help to feel confident using other sharp tools first, like a kitchen knife, before trying a razor. You can choose razors with larger handles for better grip, and you may need to try a few types to find what works for you.
- Try different positions, such as sitting or standing. Use a mirror so you can see what you are doing.
- Break the task into small steps. If someone is helping you, you may not need to do every step at first.
- Use pictures to help you remember each step. Someone can take photos of you doing each part to show the right order.
- Allow extra time. You will get quicker with practice, but it is best not to rush when you are learning.
- You can practise safely by putting shaving foam on a balloon and gently using a razor without popping it. You can also practise with the cover on the razor to get used to how it moves over your skin.
You can also try other options if shaving is not right for you. Such as electric razors, hair removal creams, epilators (a machine that plucks hairs out), waxing or sugaring (sticky materials that pull the hair out with them).
Periods
Only people with a uterus have periods. A period is when a small amount of blood leaves the body each month. It usually lasts 3 to 8 days.
Periods are normal and safe. There are different products you can use. You may need to try a few to find what suits you.
Have a look at some of the guides linked in ‘Other information.’
Talk to someone you trust if you feel worried. Books like Robyn Steward’s The autism-friendly guide to periods can help.
Periods mean your body could become pregnant in the future. Pregnancy only happens if sperm enters the vagina during sex. Contraception means ways to stop pregnancy if you are not ready. Sex can also pass on infections called sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms can help stop both pregnancy and STIs. See the SWISH easy read guides for more information.
Erections
If you have a penis, you may start to have erections and produce sperm during puberty. This is when your penis becomes hard. Erections do not last forever. They usually go away on their own after a short time.
They can happen when you feel attracted to someone, but they can also happen at random, like at school or on the bus. This is normal, even if it feels embarrassing.
You may also have wet dreams when asleep. This is when semen comes out of the penis. It can leave a wet patch. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Keep some tissues by your bed so that you can wipe it up.
As you get older, you may learn about private behaviours like masturbation. It is important to understand what is public and what is private. The book Things Tom Likes can help explain this in a clear and simple way.
Sperm from the penis can cause pregnancy if it enters a vagina during sex. Contraception means ways to help stop pregnancy if you are not ready. Condoms are a type of contraception. They can help stop pregnancy and also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can find simple information in the SWISH easy read guides.