Autism and adolescents

• The National Autistic Society has a useful website.  Here you can find information about autism and many related topics. 
• Growing up Together: Teens with autism.  This provides information about understanding autism, strengths and differences, acceptance and developing great friendships 
• Book: Autism: supporting your teenager by Caroline Hattersley. A book with strategies and advice to support parents navigating the challenges of teenage life.  Also useful information about explaining a diagnosis. 

Preparing for puberty, periods and masturbation

• Raising Children.net - The Australian parenting website
  • Preparing for puberty.  Preparing, understanding and adjusting to puberty takes time.  This webpage provides some practical strategies, resources and support. 
  • Personal hygiene and autistic teenagers.  Changing bodies mean changing personal hygiene needs.  This webpage provides some practical strategies, resources and support. 
  • Autistic girls and periods.  Starting periods can be a stressful time for any young girl. This webpage provides practical strategies, resources and support about preparing for and managing periods. 
• Video: Periods: girls with autism spectrum disorder - A guide for parents and carers  
• Book: The Autism Friendly guide to periods, written by a young woman with autism. 
• Synapse - Masturbation can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss.  Here is a fact sheet about the ‘M’ word.
• Video: Life on spectrum living with autism “Masturbation and autism” (approx. 4 mins) 

Books about autism, personal experiences and understanding social rules

• Book: The complete guide to Asperger’s syndrome by Dr Tony Attwood.  This book gives an overview of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and how ASD can affect day to day life.  The book contains lots of information, research and advice. 
• Book: The Asperkid's (Secret) Book of Social Rules: The Handbook of Not-So-Obvious Social Guidelines for Tweens and Teens with Asperger Syndrome by Jennifer Cook O'Toole. Described as the book ‘every Aspie wishes we'd had growing up, but never did.’  
• Book: This book “Been there, done that, try this – an Asper’s guide to life on earth” by Tony Attwood and Craig Evans, contains advice from adults with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to young people.