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Before the Talk:
A Caregiver's Readiness Checklist

Most puberty guidance focuses on whether your child is ready. This checklist focuses on you — so you can start preparing early, on your own terms, before things feel urgent.

Physical awareness

I am aware of the physical changes my child has started — or is close to starting — even if they haven't communicated them directly (growth spurts, body hair, skin changes, etc.)

What this means for you

Physical puberty often starts independent of cognitive or communication readiness — bodies don't wait. Noticing early gives you time to prepare proactively rather than react in the moment.

What to do next

If you're not sure what to look for, start by learning the physical markers specific to your child's body and age. The course walks you through this in Module 2.

Your communication readiness

I know how my child best receives new or sensitive information — through visuals, AAC, simple language, social stories, or another format — and I feel ready to use that approach I feel comfortable using accurate body-part vocabulary with my child — not nicknames or avoidance language

What this means for you

The way you communicate with your child about their body is just as important as what you say. If either of these feels uncertain, that's the starting point — not a problem, just where to begin.

What to do next

If communication feels like the barrier, Module 3 focuses specifically on language and communication-matched approaches for this population.

Behavioral awareness

I have noticed new behaviors in my child that may be puberty-related — increased interest in body or privacy, questions about bodies, or changes in how they seek independence I feel confident I know the difference between typical puberty-related behavior and behavior that would warrant closer attention or professional support

What this means for you

Behavioral changes are often the clearest early signal — and knowing how to read them means you can respond proactively rather than reactively. If the second item felt uncertain, that's very common.

What to do next

Module 7 covers risk-screening specifically — how to tell typical from concerning behavior for your child's profile.

Environment & support

I know what my child's school or other providers cover (or don't cover) around puberty and sexuality, and I'm not counting on them to handle it I have at least one trusted resource or support person I can turn to when questions come up that I don't know how to handle I feel ready — not perfectly, but enough — to start introducing these conversations with my child rather than waiting until it feels urgent

What this means for you

For most autistic and IDD kids, school won't cover this in a way that fits. Home is often the only place this teaching will happen — which means the support and resources you have as a caregiver matter a lot.

What to do next

If any of these items felt out of reach, that's exactly what this practice is here for. You don't have to have it all figured out before you start.

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However many boxes you checked — you showed up.

That matters more than you think. Preparing early just means you get to choose your own pace — and you don't have to get it perfectly right the first time. The 10-week course walks you through every piece of this, step by step, in a community of caregivers who are right there with you.

See the 10-week course → Explore 1:1 support →

Questions? Email Kamryn directly — no commitment needed.

Before the Talk:A Caregiver's Readiness Checklist

However many boxes you checked — you showed up.

Before the Talk:
A Caregiver's Readiness Checklist