Table of Contents

Foreword by Rudy Simone.; 1. The Autism Spectrum: What does it mean anyway? And where are all the girls?; 2. Approaching Adolescence: Being Ready!; 3. Puberty: ("Does my mother know you're here?"); 4. The Red Spot: Periods, Pads and Pelvic Exams.; 5. Inside and Outside: Self-Perception and Self-Confidence.; 6. Friendships with Girls and, Yes, Boys.; 7. Healthy Sexuality and Relationships.; 8. Keeping Safe: Personal Safety in the Real World.; 9. Looking Back: My Teen Years.; References.

About the Author

Shana Nichols, PhD, is Owner and Director of ASPIRE Center for Learning and Development on Long Island, New York. She is a licensed clinical psychologist and has worked in the areas of assessment, treatment, and research related to autism spectrum and other developmental disorders for over fifteen years. She currently resides in Huntington, NY with her horse and three cats. Brigid Sinclair Rankowski is a college student on the autism spectrum, and is currently studying psychology. She resides in Mount Vernon, Iowa.