Sexuality and Severe Autism by Kate E. Reynolds

Author:Kate E. Reynolds
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
Published: 2013-09-19T00:00:00+00:00

Spots

Simple though this may seem, it is important to mention that facial blemishes particularly will happen and that this is normal and will improve or go away eventually. Spots can be painful and alarming to severely autistic females, causing concern that they are ‘ill’, or they simply become distressed. Dealing with spots using particular facial washes or creams is something that can be introduced before their faces erupt with spots in puberty. Parents can help their daughters practise washing their faces carefully around their eyes, for example, so that when they need to use an ointment, they already know to take care.

Hair

Autistic girls need to be warned about pubic hair, that it will appear in armpits as well as in the crotch. They need to understand that only one or two hairs will grow initially, then gradually more until they are unable to count them, but they won’t become hairy like an ape. They should understand that, although they might want to copy advertisements or women on movies and shave their hairs, the hairs over their vagina are not shaven; legs and armpits are the areas to shave.

Pubic hair can be itchy as it grows, so girls should be warned that this is to be expected. If young women are not continent it may be wise, if possible, to carefully trim the pubic hair to stop it retaining odours and making hygiene more difficult to maintain.

Shaving

Shaving anything will be difficult initially. Although a relatively small area, the armpits are tricky because they can be seen only via a mirror and involve holding the arm in a particular way to expose the part that needs shaving. In many ways, the legs are easier for young women to practise on because they are larger areas and more visible without having to use a mirror. It may feel less onerous to persuade daughters to shave only their armpits which may be more obvious in public, but legs may be better for practice and they may eventually progress to shaving them, anyway. Or they may decide never to shave anything!

If parents plump for electric razors, they may need to help their daughters desensitise by having them feel the razor as it buzzes, so they can get used to the sensation and sounds. Then put it to their skin over time to adjust to the feeling before any actual shaving can be done. Parents need to remember to show them how to clean out the razor, which is likely to fill quickly if they are tackling legs and armpits. Parents should take their daughters with them to choose an electric razor, or if this is difficult due to sensory or other issues, use a catalogue or online service to choose.

If parents opt for a traditional ‘wet’ razor, it is wise to practise the movements using shaving gel or foam and a razor with the cover left on. Once their daughters are comfortable with handling what can feel like a thin handle, parents can take the cover off but use a large area such as the calves for practice.

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