Preparing for adulthood: Staying healthy, well and active

Preparing for adulthood: Supporting your child or young person through puberty, identity and relationships

As your child or young person with SEND approaches adulthood, understanding their own body, feelings, and identity is a vital part of their journey. With the right support, they can grow into confident, self-aware individuals who feel safe and proud of who they are.

Why self-understanding matters

For young people with SEND, developing a sense of self is not just about growing up, it’s about building independence, self-advocacy, and emotional resilience. Understanding their bodies, emotions, and identities helps them to:

  • Communicate their needs clearly
  • Recognise and manage changes
  • Set healthy boundaries
  • Build confidence in who they are

Puberty and physical changes

Puberty can be particularly challenging for young people with SEND, especially for those with sensory sensitivities, communication differences, or anxiety. They may need clear, visual, and repeated explanations to understand what’s happening to their bodies.

How you can help

  • Use visual aids, social stories, or body charts to explain changes
  • Reassure them that these changes are normal and expected
  • Create a safe space for questions, even if they ask the same ones repeatedly
  • Be mindful of sensory needs, changes like body hair, menstruation, or hygiene routines can be distressing

Useful websites for the following specific topics

Identity, culture, and heritage

Young people with SEND may also be exploring their ethnic, cultural, or racial identity. Recognising and embracing every part of who they are helps them feel proud and included.

Supportive steps:

  • Celebrate their heritage and culture at home
  • Share stories and role models they can relate to
  • Help them understand that difference is strength, not something to hide

Relationships and Boundaries

Understanding relationships, whether friendships, family, or romantic ones, is key to emotional wellbeing. Young people with SEND may need explicit teaching about:

  • What makes a healthy relationship
  • How to say “no” and set boundaries
  • Recognising safe vs. unsafe touch or behaviour

Tips for parents:

  • Reinforce that they have the right to make choices about their relationships
  • Be open to conversations about love, attraction, and consent
  • Use role play or visual stories to explain social situations

Relationships can be exciting, confusing, or both. Navigating this area, especially those with special education needs or disabilities (SEND), might take a little more guidance but it’s still their choice, and at their pace.

Support for Young People in Bromley

Sexual Health Bromley offers a dedicated young persons' clinic for anyone under 25, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The clinic provides walk-in services and also accepts referrals from professionals such as school nurses and social workers for young people who may be vulnerable or have additional needs.

Tailored sexual health education sessions can also be made available for young people with SEND (aged 14 to 25) within a community or education setting. These sessions cover topics like relationships, boundaries, sexual exploitation, STIs, contraception, and accessing services, helping young people build healthy relationships and understand their rights and boundaries.

Final thoughts for parents and carers

Every young person’s journey is different. For those with SEND, it may take more time, more repetition, and more reassurance, but they are just as capable of understanding themselves and growing into confident adults.

You are their guide, their advocate, and their biggest ally. With your support, they can thrive.