Kate E. ReynoldsWhat's Happening to Ellie?: A book about puberty for girls and young women with autism and related conditions (Sexuality and Safety with Tom and Ellie)

Got this for my 10 year old with Autism. We have talked about things and she has a sister a few years older but I am not sure how much she was processing. Bought this book, told her to read it and let me know if she had any questions (she loves to read). She said, "no mom that's embrassing" but I left it in her room. 20 minutes later she came out and asked if there were any more books about Ellie. She keeps it next to her bed and reads it off and on. I still am not sure how much she is understanding but this book does a great job of explaining things at her level. Pictures are very helpful as well. I highly recommend this if you have special needs daughters.

A great book to open the conversation up for puberty. I used this book for my daughter who has autism. She's 10, but mentally 4/5. I used another book that goes into more detail for periods. I also bought the other Ellie book that talks about more stuff.

Excellent, simple, straightforward book on the coming changes, and how to use feminine products. My daughter has a lot of anxiety about the unknown and is a visual learner, so the illustrations of how a tampon fits inside your body was useful. Some may be surprised to see such literal illustrations, but that is how children on the spectrum think and what they need to understand.

I loved this book but my 10year old daughter hated it. I loved the photos and how they explained everything. Nobody explained anything to me when I was her age. I would highly recommend this book

Good concept. Poorly planned and written. Would not use it with my grand daughter. It's a shame because this topic is not given attention

This book was just what I was looking for. It explains in simple terms the changes that happen to a girl during puberty including how to take care of herself. I read it to my daughter with autism a few times before she had her first period so she knew what to expect and was not afraid.

Great story goid book

Great for a young girl who needs more explanation

I bought this book for my daughter (7) who isn’t autistic but I wanted an easy to read book for her to start to learn about her body changing.I like the easy to read pages and factual information.I don’t like the pages that are heavily gendered eg about teaching my daughter to shave or that she will want to wear make-up etc when she is older. I don’t see the need for these pages in a book that should be about factual changes in the body not socially accepted constructs of what it is to be a woman. I will talk thru these pages and discuss choices that we all make but downplay the relevance of them. If the book is reprinted these should be removed.

I have bought several of these books trying to find a suitable for my autistic daughter, this has been 100% the best. Highly recommend. Explains everything clearly but in a manner she can understand and accept. She hates the idea of growing up and this book even explains that! Pictures are not to graphic but enough for her. Honestly I would give this book a try before any others.

I purchased this book to use in a school for children with ASD and learning difficulties. but unfortunately will not be using it at all with the children. I will however be using it as part of an ASD training sessions to show what NOT to do when sharing information with children with ASD who take things literally, i.e. you will always wear white underwear and at some point you may turn into a tortoise!!!

Was not expecting the pictures to be so graphic my older kids giggles whilst checking it out. My youngest daughter seems to like the pictures and points she got hair just like me and she’s in the shower just like I do so I guess it is a really good book for her it helps her understand what is happening to her body As a child with disabilities it can often be hard to explain things this helps her visualise what’s happening I found it very helpful for her

Bought this for my daughter who is autistic and is actually called Ellie so thought she might like that touch. She hated it. To be fair she is 12 and I reckon this book is aimed at 8/9 at the most. My daughter was horrified when I presented her with this. It is broken down very simply so is great if you need it to be very simple. I should have bought it 4 years ago.