What's Happening to Tom?: A book about puberty for boys and young men with autism and related conditions (Sexuality and Safety with Tom and Ellie)

This book is fantastic. It is a very short read but it hits on the major physical changes of puberty. (Does not touch the emotional changes) The left page has a short, easy to read explanation of what's pictured on the right page. There's no euphemisms or hard to grasp concepts... it's straight to the point. The drawings are anatomicaly correct without being vulgar... they're not realistically graphic like a medical students book & are in the style of drawing as pictured on the cover, so even parent who might easily become embarrassed covering puberty will have an easy time with them. Neither are the illustrations vague... leaving no room for misconstrued interpretations of what's being explained... No silly censored squares, blurring or leaves over the privates. Books by this author should be a staple of special education sex ed... not even sure if special education covers sex ed.

This book has been perfect for our non verbal autistic son. He tends to relate better to illustrations like this. They were graphic enough to both amuse and interest him. He doesn't want to read it with us. He rolls his eyes. But I find the book all over the house and see it's being looked at often. That was the important part for me. Him absorbing the information. I think it has helped us easily deal with the extra grooming transition without drama. I anticipated drama because it took years to tackle haircuts and bathing. He has also been very okay when it comes to wet sheets or changing damp underwear himself. I think him quietly changing and putting them in the washer is because of this book because I certainly didn't tell him. Everyone one the spectrum is different. This is a good fit for our son. I wish I had found it earlier. Thanks to the author and seller for carrying it.

Puberty is one of the most daunting experiences I have on my horizon in raising my son. I am sure it would be hard enough with a near typical child, but with my son on the spectrum I am even more puzzled. I am so thankful to have this book as a guide, and a beginning step in preparing myself for what is to come. The book may take you aback at first as it is direct and graphic, but I think that is probably what will be necessary in communicating with my son on the topic. While I am used to rigidity and being very black and white with most topics with him, there is something that almost feels wrong about doing it on this topic- but if not it will son make sense to him. I am thankful for this guide and the example it sets. I recommend ordering a few years before puberty so you can be prepared rather than playing catch up.

A pretty good book, mostly. I do wish there was a better explanation on the page about "self stimulation", something like "this feels good, but Tom knows to only do it when he is alone. The rest of the explanations were excellent- simple and direct. A good book for a barely verbal adolescent.

Got this for my 10 year old with Autism. We have talked about things and she has a sister a few years older but I am not sure how much she was processing. Bought this book, told her to read it and let me know if she had any questions (she loves to read). She said, "no mom that's embrassing" but I left it in her room. 20 minutes later she came out and asked if there were any more books about Ellie. She keeps it next to her bed and reads it off and on. I still am not sure how much she is understanding but this book does a great job of explaining things at her level. Pictures are very helpful as well. I highly recommend this if you have special needs daughters.

My 12 year old son (one of 4 kids, all very close in age) has level 2 autism and mild intellectual disability. Cognitively and behaviorally, he’s very comparable to a kindergartener. We’re Christians but not a prudish family, and are very open and comfortable discussing bodily functions and puberty changes. I appreciate (most of) the frank illustrations in this book, as verbal communication and inference aren’t something my son can understand, BUT the depictions of masturbation were not appropriate for our kiddo — without writing several paragraphs detailing his personal information or defending our family’s convictions, I’ll just state that it would NOT be appropriate to even introduce the concept of masturbation to him at this point in his development, much less glorify or encourage it. Our solution was to glue the pages together, which actually works out very well and still allows the story to flow seamlessly. On one spread, Tom experiences a nocturnal emission (pictured). On the following spread, there’s the masturbation depiction (shown, but I scribbled it up with a sharpie before picturing or uploading to the internet. It’s gives a solid impression of the original illustration though. It’s… very detailed). Then, without missing a beat, the following pages show Tom calmly taking a shower to deal with the mess. So, if you’re interested in a VERY visual puberty book (lots of nudity depicting hygiene practices and erections) but would like to skip the masturbation, it’s an easy fix! I’d love this book to not include the masturbation pages, considering the series has an entire separate book devoted to the subject and I don’t want my (still VERY innocent) child sexualized any more than a typical 5 year old would be (and who in their right mind would be showing images of masturbation to kindergarteners??)… Each kid with special needs requiring this book is unique with varying needs, and they don’t all need the sexualizing! …but it is what it is, and we “fixed” it.

I purchased this book for my son to read with my grandson who is Autistic. We were at our wits end trying to figure out how Dad would be able to teach his son how his body was changing. He showed him the book, let him look through it, and then sat down and looked at it together, having changed Tom's name to my grandson's name to personalize the story. I was told that he was interested in the book. It was left in a conspicuous place so that it was easy for my grandson to place it on his bed as his choice of a book for the following night. All went well, and my son will continue to refer to the book with my grandson at the appropriate times. I am grateful for this material, and I think that anyone with a special needs child should purchase What's Happening to Tom?

This book is WAY too graphic and it’s giving me signals of ill-intention from the author. The literal first page of the girl’s version is a naked girl in the shower playing with her pubes, and it talks about fleshy vulvas. NOT taught appropriately or with caution for a vulnerable community.

I like this book, it explains the growth and the physical changes for boys in fun way, it sounds like a story! I highly recommend this book.

Muy adecuado, con dibujos claros pero nada agresivos emocionalmente para mi hija. Se lo dejé para que lo leyera sola (es una aspie a la que le gusta ser autodidacta) y nos ha dado mucho juego como referente al observar sus propios cambios. El texto es muy corto, concreto y fácil de entender con un nivel básico de inglés, asi que, mientras no haya versión en castellano, es una buena opción aún para los de habla hispana.

Brilliant book if you are a parent of a child with autism and learning disabilities. The content is clear, simple to explain and provides both the child and parents a guide on how to explain puberty changes on their level.

Very nice

Fast delivery, well packed in box, good quality pages, very clear and detailed..