let's talk about - downs syndrome scotland

helping people realise their potential

Down’s Syndrome Scotland

helping people realise their potential

Down’s Syndrome Scotland

Let’s talk about

PUBERTY

Abooklet about growing upfor young people who have alearning disability

Email: [email protected] Web: www.dsscotland.org.uk

A Charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in Scotland No. 356717 Scottish Charity No. SC011012

Written by Lou MarsdenIllustrations by Paul Mudie

Puberty:Layout 1 14/6/10 16:29

…IS COOL!

This booklet will tell you about whathappens to your body as you grow up.This is called Puberty.

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GROWING UP… What is PUBERTY?When you have been reading this booklet, some of the things may haveseemed scary.

You might wish that you did not have to grow up and go throughpuberty.

Remember, the changes do not all happen at the same time and you willcope with each thing as it comes along.

There are lots of great things about being an adult.

It takes a long time for children to grow up and become adults.Very slowly, your body shape will change until you are a man or awoman. The time it takes for your body to change is called Puberty.

Some of the changes are different for girls and boys.

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You can choosehow to spendyour spare time

You can makeyour own decisionsand choices

You might wantyour own home

You can choosehow to spendyour money

You can havea relationship


CHANGES for GIRLS …FANCYING PEOPLE

HairYou will start to grow hair underyour arms and on your pubic area.At first the hair is fine and soft.As you get older it will becomethicker. Many women shave the hairunder their arms.

Growing TallerAt first girls tend to grow fasterthan boys but you will stop growingbefore a boy does. This is why menare usually taller than women.

BreastsYou will start to grow breasts.At first you will see small bumpsunder your nipples. Over timeyour breasts will keep growingand will show underneath yourclothes. You will need to startwearing a bra. A bra will supportyou breasts and make you feelcomfortable.

You will start to feel differently about people. You might fancysomeone and cannot stop thinking about them.

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You will daydreamabout being with thatperson even if youknow really that you willnever meet them. Lots ofyoung people feel this wayabout pop stars.


…SEXUAL FEELINGS…

The reason that you go throughpuberty is so that your body isready to make babies whenyou get older, if you want to.

As changes happen you willalso get new sensations whichfeel nice.

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PeriodsMost girls start having periodsbetween the ages of 11 and 14.Don’t worry if your periods startbefore or after these ages.

Your period happens when theegg from your ovary has not beenfertilised and it dissolves in yourwomb. The blood lining your wombwhich has built up during the monthis no longer needed. This is what yousee during your period.

The blood comes out throughyour vagina, between your legs.

You will need to wear either asanitary towel or a tampon to stopthe blood from staining your clothes.

Periods last between 4 and 7 days.At first you may only have a periodevery once in a while but in timeyour period will become moreregular.

Before your period you may feelmore upset about things. Yourbreasts may feel sore. Your tummymay be swollen. These things arenormal and will go away once yourperiod starts.

No one else can tell that you arehaving your period. It is private.You can tell your parents or closefriends but other people do notneed to know.

Boys will get more erections.You will want to touch partsof your body because it feelsnice. This is normal.Remember that it is private anddon’t do it in front of anyoneelse.


CHANGES for BOYS …INDEPENDENCE…

HairYou will start to grow hair onyour face, your pubic area,under your arms and on yourlegs. At first the hair will be fine.As you get older the hair will bethicker. Most men shave the hairon their necks and faces. If youdo not shave this area you willgrow a beard and moustache.

VoiceYour voice will become deeper.Some young men sound croakyfor a while This is because theirvoice is breaking. Other youngmen find that their voice hasbecome deeper overnight.

PenisAs you get older, your penis will getlonger and thicker. Your testicles(balls) will also get bigger. You willhave more erections. This is whenthe penis becomes stiff and hard.

Erections can happen inpublic places and you may feelembarrassed. Try to think aboutsomething else and the erectionwill go away.

Growing TallerYou will grow taller and becomeheavier. You will notice that youstart to develop muscles and puton weight.

As you get older you will also want to do more things for yourself.You will want to go out with your own friends.You should try to learn to be more responsible for yourself.This means making sure that you are safe and not gettinginto trouble.

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…SELF-IMAGE…

Wet DreamsWhen you are asleep and dreaming, you will get erections andejaculate. This is when semen shoots out through the erect penis.You will not be aware that this is happening because you are asleep.You will wake up and feel a damp patch in your bed. Keep sometissues by your bed so that you can wipe it up. All young men havewet dreams, it is normal and nothing to worry about.

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Firstly, you have to come to terms withyour new body.

Many young people findsomething about their bodythat they don’t like. This isnormal and is nothing toworry about.

As time passes you willfeel more comfortable.

Wearing up to date clothesand having a fashionablehaircut will help you to feelmore confident.


For GIRLS and BOYS… …MOOD SWINGS…

SweatYour sweat glands begin to workand you will sweat more. Make surethat you have a bath, shower orwash at the sink regularly. Use adeodorant under your arms whenyou are clean.

Greasy HairTo keep your hair clean, wash iteveryday using a mild shampoo sothat your hair does not become toodry.

SpotsMost people get spots when theyare growing up. Wash your faceevery day to keep the skin cleanand try not to touch a spot if youget one.

Mood swings affect all young people. They are causedby hormones.

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Mood swings mean that oneday you may feel great, the nextday you feel angry and the dayafter that you feel very sad.Sometimes you can have all ofthese feelings in one day!

Mood swings are hard to copewith. You may find it hard tosay the right thing. You may findit hard to do the right thing.When this happens, your parentsand other adults may get angrywith you.

What arehormones?Hormones are chemicalsthat are made by the glandsin the body. Hormone levelsrise and fall at different timesdepending on our body’sneed. When hormones arerising and falling it canchange the way you feel.This is what gives you moodswings.


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