What's Happening to Tom? - (Sexuality and Safety with Tom and Ellie) by Kate E Reynolds (Hardcover)

About the Book

This simple picture book follows Tom as he begins puberty. Designed to be read with boys with autism or other special needs, it provides the perfect starting point for parents and carers to discuss changes including new hair growth, deepening voice and wet dreams.

Book Synopsis

Tom notices that his body is changing. Tom's voice is different and hair is growing in new places. There are other changes happening too. Tom learns that he has started growing into a man.

Following Tom as he begins to notice changes to his body, this simple resource helps parents and carers teach boys with autism or other special needs about puberty. It covers all the changes that they will experience, both emotional such as new feelings and physical such as wet dreams. This fully illustrated positive and entertaining book provides the perfect opportunity to talk about puberty with boys and young men with autism or special needs.

Review Quotes

Full marks to author and mum Kate Reynolds and illustrator Jonathon Powell for tackling a tricky subject with such style and humour. Their set of three books - What's Happening to Tom?, Tom Needs to Go and Things Tom Likes are aimed specifically at young boys with autism to help them understand their developing sexuality and to behave in ways that are socially appropriate and will keep them safe... The books act as a visual guide... An honest approach like this will help them to learn quickly and to ask you questions without any sense of shame or embarrassment.--Debby Elley, Co-editor "AuKids Magazine"

What's Happening to Tom? Tom Needs to Go and Thins Tom Likes are aimed specifically at young boys with autism to help them understand their developing sexuality and to behave in ways that are socially appropriate and will keep them safe... These short hardback books have bold, friendly information on each page with a full colour illustration opposite. This honesty, straightforward approach is exactly what autistic boys growing up need.--Debbie Elley, Co-editor "AuKids Magazine"

In simple and unambiguous text and bright pictures, often explicit, we see Tom beginning to grow up. First he notices hair in different places, then he gets spots, his voice begins to change, and he needs to shower every day and use deodorant...while aimed at those who are autistic, the book will be useful to others with learning difficulties because of its avoidance of euphemisms and the explicit qualities in the illustrations. Highly visual.--HealthyBooks

Thankfully, we have reached a point where society recognizes that all people, including those with a developmental disorder such as autism, are sexual beings who have a right to knowledge and to be safe. But there are aspects of sexuality that are challenging and not easy to teach. These attractively illustrated books, with their clear, anatomically correct pictures and simple, unambiguous text, deal bravely with these topics and will facilitate discussion and learning. They will be a very welcome addition to the bookshelves of families who have an adolescent boy on the autism spectrum.--Sarah Attwood, author of Making Sense of Sex

The Tom books about privacy and puberty for boys on the autism spectrum are a wonderful resource for families and young people with ASD. Each of the books addresses a range of relevant topics, to promote safety and healthy practices that will ensure better inclusion in society for boys and men on the spectrum. I have met hundreds of parents and teachers who often find that these issues related to puberty are in most urgent need of being addressed - finally, books that help us help our sons, brothers, students, and friends!--Dr Helen McCabe, Executive Director, The Five Project for International Autism and Disability Support (www.thefiveproject.org), US

This series is perfect for use in sex education classes. An excellent and very helpful choice for professionals working with people with ASD!--Ioannis Voskopoulos-Labrini Ioannou, psychologist

About the Author

Kate E. Reynolds, MSc (Dist) BSc. RGN. PGDipHEd. PGDipCouns., worked for the UK's National Health Service for 18 years, seven of which were in HIV/Aids and sexual health as a Clinical Nurse Specialist, Senior Counsellor and staff trainer. In 2005 Kate's son was diagnosed as having 'classic' autism with intellectual (learning) disabilities. Since then, Kate has written several books for JKP about sexuality education and autism/intellectual disabilities. She is a researcher and public speaker; in 2016 she spoke at an All Party Parliamentary Group meeting about sex education and disability and speaks extensively with parents and caregivers.

Jonathon Powell completed a Diploma of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Animation at Griffith University, Queensland. He has illustrated material for Family Planning Queensland, including several brochures, an education manual, 'Talking About It', and a CD-ROM package, 'Puberty Plus'. Jonathon has also illustrated 'Making Sense of Sex' by Sarah Attwood, published by JKP. He lives in Brisbane, Australia.