Success for the Holidays and Autism

As the end of the year approaches, you may be looking forward to the holiday season as a time to enjoy family, celebrate with traditions, and make lifelong memories. This busy time of year also brings about new foods, faces, and social situations, which can be overwhelming for children on the autism spectrum. Preparing your child with autism, your family, and your friends for these situations can make all the difference in making sure everyone has a “merry and bright” holiday season.

Success at New Places

Many children on the spectrum find loud sounds, bright lights, certain textures, strong flavors, and foreign smells to be overstimulating which could provoke a meltdown. Bright blinking Christmas tree lights or a crowded mall may be too overwhelming for your kiddo. Luckily, many seasonal sensory-friendly alternatives are becoming more common every year! Autism trained Santas, specific store hours for soft music and dim lighting, and tree lights that transition smoothly all to accommodate those who prefer a sensory friendly environment.

Helpful Hint

Pack a bag including some of your child’s favorite foods, toys or activities. Use this bag to transition from one place to another by using it as a promise. For example: let’s go inside the store and then you can pick something from the bag. To visit Santa, let your child include their favorite toy in the picture.

Success with Family and Friends

If your holiday plans include spending time with family or friends who are not as familiar with your child, discuss your child’s needs beforehand. Be specific! Make them aware of any food aversions, sensitivity to lights or noises, or if your kiddo does not like being touched.

Helpful Hint

Ask if there will be a quiet room available, and explain the possibility of a sudden retreat to take a break in it. There are two reasons preparing those around you before a gathering is beneficial – 1. The more those around your family know about your child’s needs, the easier it will be for them to understand any behaviors that might seem odd or inappropriate. 2. When aware of your child’s  needs, loved ones usually do their best to accommodate them.

Success with Prepping your Child

Many children on the spectrum thrive better in consistent, predictable routines. However, the holiday season usually revolves around unpredictable situations, such as travelling, large group gatherings, as well as changes to eating and sleeping schedules. It’s a good idea to prepare your child for all the ‘new’ they may encounter so they can enjoy the magic in the season.

Helpful Hint

You can create detailed social stories, take a trip to the venue beforehand to scope it out, and set up expectations with your child. This not only helps your prepare kiddo, it
also helps you determine how to best prepare for the day.

Success and Plan B

Even after you have fully prepared your child, family, and friends to avoid a holiday meltdown situation, the unpredictable can still happen. Have a game plan for when the unpredictable happens. Discuss ahead of time who will be in charge of removing the child from a difficult situation at a family gathering or church. When performing less structured activities, such as shopping or ice skating, determine the protocol if your child gets overstimulated by the music and crowd.

Helpful Hint

Practice plan B with your child and if possible let them practice asking for it appropriately instead of having a behavior problem.

The holidays bring a hustle and bustle that can leave you sprinting through this season. But with these helpful hints and prepping we you will experience the joy of the season with a little less stress.