Puberty Groups

Puberty groups for 8-12 years old to learn about puberty, hygiene, self-care and life skills. The program provides factual, gender-inclusive and non-judgemental education in a supportive, fun and responsive manner. On The Ball is proud to offer the following three programs: Well Girls, Being Boys, and Gender Inclusive.

‍

The Well Girls Program: Navigating Puberty with Confidence

‍

Being a girl in today's world comes with its unique challenges – peer pressure, social media, bullying, and the whirlwind of puberty. For girls with autism or developmental issues, these hurdles can be even more daunting. That's why we're offering the Well Girls Foundation Program.

‍

What is Well Girls?

Well Girls is a personalized life skills program for girls aged 8-12 with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Developed and led by an experienced Occupational Therapist specializing in women's health and pediatrics, Well Girls empowers girls with essential knowledge and confidence to navigate their personal health and unique wellbeing needs.

‍

What does WELL stand for?

‍

Wellbeing

Every girl deserves to be in charge of her own wellbeing – to understand how to care for her body, mind, and soul. Prioritizing wellbeing is every girl's fundamental right.

‍

Education

Knowledge is power. From understanding anatomy to managing stress, Well Girls ensures girls have the information they need to be powerful.

‍

Lifestyle

Every girl has the right to live a fulfilling life. Well Girls works collaboratively with girls to help them achieve their dreams and desires.

‍

Laughter

We believe in the power of laughter. Learning about your body doesn't have to be boring or embarrassing. A day without laughter is a day wasted.

‍

What do we cover in Well Girls?

Well Girls covers diverse topics relevant to pre-teen females, presented developmentally appropriately. For girls with autism or developmental delays, we ensure a pace and style that suits individual learning needs. Topics include:

• Menstruation and Pelvic Health: Understanding and managing periods, building good toileting and pelvic health habits.
• Body Development and Personal Hygiene: What's happening to my body, and how do I care for it?
• Hormonal Changes of Puberty: How physical and emotional changes during puberty impact us.

‍

This program is eligible for OAP funding - please review your plan to ensure sufficient funds are available.

‍

The Daisy Program: Embracing Uniqueness:

‍

The Daisy Program is an adaptation of our original Well Girls initiative, tailored explicitly for girls facing the dual challenge of autism and intellectual or cognitive disability. Here's what you need to know.

‍

About the Daisy Program

The Well Girls Daisy Program is a personalized life skills initiative designed for girls aged 8-12 with a dual diagnosis of autism and intellectual disability. Crafted by an Occupational Therapist with expertise in women's health and pediatrics, the program aims to provide these girls with the essential knowledge and confidence needed to navigate their personal health and unique wellbeing during the puberty years.

‍

What We Cover in Well Girls Daisy Program

Understanding the unique challenges of girls with dual diagnoses, we cover a range of topics in a developmentally appropriate manner:

• Understanding and managing periods, building lifelong toileting and pelvic health habits.
• What's happening to my body and why? How do I care for it?
• Physically and emotionally navigating puberty.
• Big feelings and how to manage them.
• Navigating friendships.

‍

This program is eligible for OAP funding - please review your plan to ensure sufficient funds are available.

‍

‍

The Being Boys Program: Growing Strong

Embarking on the journey to manhood comes with its challenges, especially for boys with autism aged 8 to 12. Introducing "Being Boys," our life skills and puberty education program to support boys navigating the intricate changes during their early puberty years.

‍

About Being Boys

Being Boys is tailored for boys nearing or in the early stages of puberty, offering guidance through the physical and emotional transformations unique to this phase. It's a space where boys can find support in understanding their changing bodies.

‍

Navigating the Challenges of Boyhood

Being a boy these days can be challenging. From peer pressure to grappling with the concept of 'being a man,' dealing with body changes, deeper voices, and the influence of social media—these challenges are heightened for boys with autism or developmental issues. That's why we created Being Boys.

‍

Program Highlights

Being Boys delves into a variety of topics crucial for boys entering or in the early stages of puberty:

‍

Body Changes

• Understanding the physical transformations experienced during puberty.

Reproductive System

• Providing insights into the workings of the reproductive system.

Personal Hygiene and Self-Care

• Focusing on the importance of personal care during this period.

Hormonal Changes

• Exploring how hormonal shifts impact physical and emotional well-being.

Navigating Friendships and 'Being a Man'

• Addressing the challenges of peer pressure and the journey to 'being a man.'

‍

This program is eligible for OAP funding - please review your plan to ensure sufficient funds are available.

‍

‍