Growing up can feel confusing, especially when your body changes quickly, friendships shift, and new feelings begin to surface. This updated 2nd edition of The Growing Up Book for Boys offers a calm, neuro-affirming guide to puberty for autistic boys aged 9-14.
Throughout the book, boys are encouraged to understand their bodies, trust their feelings, and celebrate what makes them unique. Using straightforward language, and bold, accessible illustrations, it explains what to expect during adolescence, including growing body hair, shaving, wet dreams, erections, voice changes, and looking after your skin. It also explores friendships, boundaries, crushes, emotional changes, online safety, and recognising sensory needs. A new section also helps boys navigate online misinformation about masculinity, girls, and the rise of the so-called manosphere, offering balanced, supportive guidance to help them build healthy, respectful understandings of themselves and others.
Designed with accessibility in mind, including dyslexia-friendly layout and autistic-friendly language, this is the perfect introduction to the teenage years for autistic boys.
