Puberty talk at school. A friend who's already started her period. A body that seems to be changing on its own timeline. For most girls, getting a period is just part of growing up — but for many children, especially those who are autistic, have an intellectual disability, or experience anxiety, the not knowing when can feel like a lot to sit with. Will it happen at school? Will I know what to do? Who can I tell?
That's why we've created a free social story, Feeling Ready for My Period, to help girls understand what's coming, and — more importantly — give them a simple, step-by-step plan so they feel calm and capable, wherever they happen to be when it starts.
DOWNLOADWhat is a social story?
Social stories are short, simple narratives that describe a situation, skill, or concept in a way that's easy for children to understand. Originally developed to support children with ASD, they've become a widely used tool for helping any child — particularly those with sensory processing differences, anxiety, or communication needs — prepare for situations that might otherwise feel unpredictable or stressful.
By reading through a scenario in advance, in calm and reassuring language, children can build familiarity with what they might see, hear, and feel, and rehearse the steps that will help them cope in the moment. For a topic like periods, which can carry extra worry because of when and where it might happen, that advance preparation can make a real difference.
Why this story matters
What we love about this story is that it doesn't pretend the worry away — it names it. Feeling nervous about periods, especially about timing and place, is normal, and the story says so plainly. Instead of brushing that feeling aside, it hands the child something concrete to hold onto: a kit, a step-by-step plan, and a reminder that trusted adults are there to help.
It also puts the focus on preparation rather than perfection. There's no pressure to get everything right or to feel completely calm — just a clear, repeatable process, and permission to still feel nervous sometimes even when that process is in place. For girls who like structure and predictability, that combination of emotional validation and concrete steps can turn a source of anxiety into something manageable.
Tips for using this social story at home
- Read it in a quiet, unhurried moment, and revisit it whenever the topic comes up (e.g. after a school health lesson, or a friend mentioning their period).
- Pack the on-the-go kit together and put it in her school bag now, even if her period hasn’t started yet — having it ready in advance is often what most reduces the worry.
- Rehearse the plan, not just read it: practise opening a pad or putting on period undies, and saying the actual words she’d use to tell an adult (e.g. “I need to go to the toilet, it’s a private thing”).
- Check with the school about their process — where spare pads are kept, who she can approach if her regular teacher isn’t available, and whether she can keep her kit in her bag rather than handing it in.
- If she is sensitive to textures or smells, try a few different pad brands or period underwear in advance so her first real experience isn’t also her first time trying the product.
- Keep your own tone matter-of-fact and calm — she will often take her emotional cue from you, especially around a topic she may not yet have language to ask about directly.
- If she has a Support worker, OT or key teacher, loop them in so her plan and trusted-adult list are consistent across every setting she moves through.
The goal isn’t to remove the nervous feeling entirely — it’s to give her enough of a concrete plan that the feeling stays manageable.
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