Aspergers and Puberty

[Moms3boys]

My son will be eight this year and recently he's having meltdowns like never before. He's started to develop slight facial acne and dark hair on his upper lip. He is big for his age but too young for puberty. He has been emotional and defiant and also increasingly aggressive towards his sibling, which I'm thinking could be something to do with rising testosterone levels.

Has anyone experienced or heard anything about the possibility of early puberty being more prevalent in people with ASDs?

Thanks:)

[Sally44]

I haven't heard of puberty being earlier in those with ASDs.  Eight does seem a bit young to me.  Have you discussed this with your doctor?  If it is early onset puberty then you may need some extra input from professionals eg. psychologists, because your son will be experiencing things physically that he is not ready for emotionally, especially at his young age and with his diagnosis.

[annarose]

greetings

I read or heard some where that the bones in the hands are a good indication of puberty - cant remember all the details but the gist was this:

this girl who had undergone traumatic events started to display similar things to your son - going on your description she was the right weight for puberty but only 6 or 7 they xrayed her hands and found the bones were that of an older teenager - they gave her hormones to combat this and something ealse so that she could be a child again

things it would seam to look out for then are the following:
his weight
changes in circumstance to trigger the temper - remember as I am sure you are awhere that aspergers children do not comunicate in the same way.

my dad teaches aspergers children and gets books from  www.jkp.com - their new catalog has several books on this very thing you are asking about that you may find helpfull - look out for tony attwood dad says he is very good

this may be of some assistance

every blessing
a-R