On this page, we talk about how your mind and body might change as you grow.

On this page:

• Growing older
• Being a teenager
• Being a young adult
• Being an adult
• Being an older person
• Getting support

Your mind and body will change as you grow older.

And every part of life is different.

Everyone experiences life in different ways.

Your mind and body might change in ways that are very different to other people you know.

This could include if you:

• have a disability
• are gender diverse.

  A gender diverse person is someone:

  • who feels like they do not fit the idea of being a man or a woman
  • whose gender given to them when they were born does not match the gender they are.

Sometimes life can feel good.

And other times it can be hard.

But every part of your life makes up who you are.

It can help to:

• think about what experiences you have already had in your life
• be open to how your life could change.

When you are a teenager you will experience puberty.

It can be scary to experience puberty.

It can affect:

• how you feel about your body
• how much you believe in yourself.

You might:

• grow a lot in a short amount of time
• start menstruation.

  Menstruation is a kind of bleeding from the vagina that usually happens once a month.

  People also call it a period.

  Once you start having a period, you can get pregnant when you have sex.

People experience puberty:

• in different ways
• at different times.

And your experience of puberty might be different if you are:

• someone with disability
• gender diverse.

When you are a young adult, you might explore who you are.

You might also work to become more independent.

You might start making decisions about:

• your work
• what you care about
• your relationships.

  Your relationship with someone is how you are connected to them.

You will probably discover new and exciting things.

But you might also experience new problems.

For example, you might experience discrimination.

You might also experience problems because:

• you do not understand someone else
• someone else does not understand you.

You might feel like you have to do things because lots of other people are doing them.

But it is more important to do the things that you want to do.

And remember that it is your life.

It is a good idea to find people that:

• you like being around
• care about the same things that you do.

It is also important to be kind to yourself.

And try to be open to new experiences.

When you are an adult, you might want to feel more certain about:

• what your life will be like
• that your life will not change.

You might feel upset that your life is different from other people’s lives.

Or that it is not what you wanted it to be.

For example, you might want a:

• home
• partner, like a boyfriend or girlfriend
• career.

  Your career is the path you take in the area of work you choose.

But many people do not want to have these things.

And they still really enjoy their lives.

Whatever is happening in your life, remember that it is important to:

• find pleasure in your life
• feel connected to the people around you
• do what is important to you.

When people reach a certain age, their menstruation stops.

This is called menopause.

Most people go through menopause when they are between 45 and 55 years old.

Research has found that people with intellectual disability can go through menopause earlier than other people.

Research has also found that people with Down syndrome can go through menopause even earlier.

Menopause can affect:

• how you feel day-to-day
• any health conditions you have
• how you feel about your body
• your relationships.

You can get support for menopause from your doctor.

Some people can experience violence or abuse when they go through menopause.

For example, from their partner.

It is important to know that violence or abuse is never okay.

You can find out more on our page about staying safe.

When you are an older person, you might think more about what has happened in your life.

Your health might change.

You might decide to:

• stop working.
• spend more time with your family and community.

You might think more about:

• what you have achieved
• the problems you were able to deal with.

Life can be hard.

It is important to look after yourself.

We have information and resources on this website to help you get the support you need.

You can find out more on our page about support.

You can get support through counselling.

You can find out more on our page about counselling.

You can also get support from people who:

• are like you
• have had similar experiences to you.

We call this ‘peer support’.

You can find out more on our page about support for sexuality.