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Puberty On The Spectrum
A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭

My son just turned 10 on September 24th. He has recently developed a new, highly opionated (which I personally love to see, being he typically struggles with sharing an original thought) yet argumentative pattern
Colton is extremely echolalic so much of his attitude still comes in the form of repeating phrases he memorizes but I am curious as to what age ASD boys begin the adolescent change? He has also been having acne breakouts and other subtle physical changes that indicate possible onset of… read more

posted November 21, 2017
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A MyAutismTeam Member

He's not arguing to argue. I promise. He's arguing to make sense of things. Part of autism is having rigid, black-and-white thinking. It is often described as "stubborn" or "argumentative". Sometimes these kiddos are described as "little lawyers" or even misdiagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (like one of my sons).

Everything needs to make sense in order for an autistic child who struggles with rigid thinking to go along with something. Things are either right or wrong, and if one part of something doesn't make sense, the whole concept is wrong. So it's your job to help him make sense of things! It takes patience, but it works. Find out what the issue is, and help to clarify, or even adapt what you're saying to help him understand.

Puberty started for my oldest son around the age of 10, but didn't *really* kick in until about 12. My second son is in the throes of puberty now. Started at about 9 for him.

posted November 21, 2017
A MyAutismTeam Member

Puberty with autistics is just the same as puberty with allistics (non-autistic) as far as onset, which for boys is between the ages of 9 and 14. My son is 11, but he has not shown any real signs of puberty, yet. My daughter was also a late bloomer.

Puberty for autistics is also very different from puberty for allistics in that it is just generally harder. We don't like change, and this is a huge change. We can also be in a lot of physical pain, so it's important to try to encourage eating well, taking any supplements that are needed (you can get tested for any vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and autistics usually have at least one), and drink plenty of water.

He may want to make more decisions for himself as a way to exert control over the chaos. Let him make more decisions and have more control, unless it's something very dangerous or important to you. You may also want to ask him and/or yourself why you are arguing so much. I argued with my mom all the time because she wouldn't allow me to make any decisions about my own life. From my hair, to my food, to my clothes, to where I went to college, she made all the decisions, and it made me feel very disrespected and chaotic. I hope this helps.

posted November 26, 2017
A MyAutismTeam Member

Hi christan82,
Your son's behavior is typical for "all" teenagers. Heck my son is 18 and still giving me crud, but it's fine. As for skin, same issues here. Advice, Vitamin C chewable tablets to help with complexion, along with a topical gel (Retinol Gel from Ben Fuchs), it's kinda pricey but it's pure and lasts for quite a while. He applies it after he showers.

posted November 21, 2017

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