Explaining The Birds and The Bees

Since my 11-year-old daughter started her period a few months ago, she has been asking more questions about how babies are made. Before now I have been reluctant to go into too much detail as her maturity is that of a younger child. However, Isabelle loves learning about the world around her and about animals and since my niece has had a baby, she wants to visit her cousin at every opportunity as she is fascinated by her baby.

I started to trawl the internet to see if there were any resources that would help to explain how babies are made in a way that was not too graphic and was age appropriate and she could understand. I found it difficult to find anything. I tried autism support websites, learning resource websites but a lot focussed on topics like sexuality, relationships etc. Although these are things, I know Isabelle needs to learn, now I feel it important just to answer what she is asking. Also, topics like sexuality and relationships are something that Isabelle comes across in everyday life so she will ask in the moment questions like ‘why is that man kissing another man’ or how can that child have two mummies?’

I finally found a video through BBC online called ‘Operation Ouch! How are babies made?Sex’ The video is easy to break down and forward at any points that you don’t think are relevant and we paused it at different points so I could check Isabelle was processing it ok and could ask any questions.

The video talks about in clear and simple terms that women have eggs and men have sperm, how and where it is produced and how these then make a baby. They also talk about puberty in a clear way. Just thought I would share this as I think it can be harder to gage with an autistic child when they are ready for this information but also how to give it to them in a way that isn’t scary or causes more questions than answers for them.