Chapter 1. What Do We Currently Know about Girls and Women with Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Epidemiology and the puzzle of diagnostic rates
Same disorder, different faces? Sex differences in symptom presentation
Diagnostic implications of sex differences
Interventions and supports
What causes sex differences in ASDs?
Sex differences in other developmental disorders
The importance of understanding typical developmental sex differences
Clinical programs: are they out there?
A window of knowledge: personal stories by women with ASDs
Routes to a diagnosis for females and their families
I'm still not sure what her diagnosis is
Chapter 2. Approaching Adolescence: Anticipation, Anxiety, Adaptation, and...Acceptance?
Adolescence: the wild ride
Adolescence x Autism = A[superscript 2]?
Specific challenges of adolescence
Sexuality and masturbation
Your "Teaching Toolkit": guidelines and techniques
Chapter 3. Puberty or "Do My Parents Know You're Here?"
ASDs and adjusting to puberty
Navigating pubertal change
Chapter 4. The Red Spot: Periods, Pads, and Pelvic Exams
Goal 1. Finding your positive tone
Goal 2. Providing accurate information
Goal 3. Practicing skills ahead of time
Goal 4. Preparing for the first period
Successful management of menstrual hygiene
The great debate: Pads, tampons, or both?
Chapter 5. Feeling Good Inside and Out: Self-perception and Self-confidence
Your daughter's external sense of self
Body image and physical appearance
Issues with eating: from complications to disorders
Building a healthy self-image
First bras and beyond: the world of intimate wear
Fun with fashion and personal style
Your daughter's internal sense of self
Creating success experiences
Developing independence, self-reliance, and responsibility
Promoting self-knowledge and self-awareness ("Who am I?")
Developing and expanding your daughter's interests
Self-regulation and emotional understanding
"The talk": teaching your daughter about her ASD
What having an ASD means to your daughter
Parent modeling of self-esteem
Chapter 6. The Social Landscape of Adolescence: Friendships and Social Status
Understanding friendships and developing friendship skills
Popularity and social status
Specific challenges for girls with ASDs
Finding your daughter's social compass
Chapter 7. Healthy Sexuality for Girls with ASDs
Defining sexuality: finding a common meaning
Sexual attitudes and values
Why is sexuality education important for your daughter?
Challenges faced by girls with ASDs
What does sexuality look like for typically developing girls?
What does healthy sexuality look like for females with ASDs?
Your daughter's sexual education plan
Sexual arousal and masturbation: what's normal for your daughter?
Romantic feelings and being "interested" in someone
Your school's sexuality education curriculum: to participate, or not?
Gender identity and sexual orientation
Providing reading materials for your daughter
Chapter 8. Keeping Girls Safe: Promoting Personal Safety in the Real World
Abuse and developmental disabilities
How to keep your daughter safe: abuse-prevention strategies
Sexual harassment and bullying at school
What are the signs of abuse?
Respecting others' boundaries: keeping your daughter, and others, safe
Consent to sexual activity
Online safety: protecting your daughter on the internet
Chapter 9. Our Journey: A Mother and her Daughter with Asperger's Syndrome
Our journey: BD ("before diagnosis")
Our journey: AD ("after diagnosis")
Bullying: the nightmare that was middle school
High school: the highs, the lows, and the in-betweens
Thoughts on being a female adolescent with Asperger's Syndrome
Thoughts on being a mother of an adolescent daughter with Asperger's Syndrome
Conclusion: Embracing Change
