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Planet Puberty

Planet Puberty is a digital resource suite that aims to provide parents and carers of children with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder with the latest information, strategies and resources for supporting their child through puberty.

Vision and mission

Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability are often unsure about when they should start teaching their child about puberty. Some parents might be concerned about jumping in too early or too late, while others may be concerned that puberty information is too complex for their child.

For many parents, it’s not always easy to find the right information to meet their child’s complex needs. That’s why we created Planet Puberty.

How Planet Puberty can help

Planet Puberty has information, worksheets, videos, games and strategies to help parents navigate their child’s puberty journey. It includes a website, webinar series and podcast.

On Planet Puberty, we take a holistic approach to puberty. That’s why we cover five key topic areas:

  • The body
  • Relationships
  • Identity
  • Feeling good
  • Keeping safe

Planet Puberty offers information at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels, so parents can find the level of information that is right for their family.

Information lines / help lines

  • Call Talkline on 1300 658 886 Mon to Fri, 8am to 8pm AEST

Programs and apps and tools

Recommended links

Last reviewed: January 2023

Information from this partner

Found 54 results

Dating - Planet Puberty

For parents, the thoughts of their child dating can raise some concerns. Some parents worry about their child being taken advantage of or having their heart broken. Other parents worry that their child is too young to date, or that their disability will make dating too hard. It is normal…

Read more on Planet Puberty website

Introduction to contraception - Planet Puberty

You may not have thought about teaching your child about contraception. As your child enters their teenage years, it is important for them to have a basic understanding of sex, conception and contraception. It will also support their understanding of things that happen within relationships.   If your doctor has…

Read more on Planet Puberty website

Identifying and Communicating how I feel - Planet Puberty

When your child starts the transition to puberty, you may notice that their moods seem more unpredictable or that they are more frequently sad, angry or frustrated. While mood swings are very normal, they can pose extra challenges for children with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder who may struggle…

Read more on Planet Puberty website

Cybersafety - Planet Puberty

The internet can be an extremely useful tool in supporting the puberty education of children with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. As you journey through Planet Puberty, you’ll find that there are lots of strategies we suggest that involve utilising tablets, phones, YouTube and  other different digital platforms to…

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Responding to disclosure - Planet Puberty

As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your child growing up, developing into an adult and becoming ready to take on the world. When your child has an intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder, these worries can feel overwhelming, particularly if your child requires a lot of support or…

Read more on Planet Puberty website

Private body parts - Planet Puberty

Teaching about the private body parts is one of the first and most important things for you to do in preparing your child for puberty. Learning about their private body parts helps your child to understand their body and how to take care of it. It also allows your child…

Read more on Planet Puberty website

Communication & social skills - Planet Puberty

As your child ages, communication skills and social skills become more and more important. Being able to communicate about puberty will empower your child to understand the changes that are happening to them. It will also help you to understand how they are feeling about those changes. This page is…

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Emotional changes - normal - Planet Puberty

Puberty brings a lot of changes for children with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder, not just  body changes but emotional and behavioural changes as well. You might be familiar with the stereotype of the moody teenager during puberty, but sometimes it can be hard to know when emotional changes…

Read more on Planet Puberty website

Hair growth and removal - Planet Puberty

Hair growth is one of the most noticeable physical changes that will happen to your child at puberty.

Read more on Planet Puberty website

Talking About Periods - Planet Puberty

Helping your child to learn about their period can also help them to understand their body better and reduce the need for assistance with personal care.

Read more on Planet Puberty website

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