Holidays can be challenging for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Changes in routine, social events, and unfamiliar foods can quickly overwhelm those on the spectrum. No matter which holiday you’re celebrating, the best way to prepare is to plan. No matter what your family celebrates, here are five tips to help your child enjoy the holidays.
School Break: Planning Ahead
Prepare your child a few weeks in advance before the start of the break. If your child likes visual cues, start crossing off the days on a calendar. This can help your child memorize the start of the holiday and transition easier.
Additionally, tell your child what it means to have school off. You can tell them it’s like being home on the weekend, but longer! You can also incorporate your plans into this talk, like visiting family, going to fun locations, etc.
Read a Social Story
Social stories are one of the best ways to prepare your child for the holidays! Social stories were invented in 1990 by Carol Grey and helped children learn the unspoken rules of socialization.
Today, social stories are a great way to help your child adjust to new celebrations. From visiting Santa to lighting Kwanza candles, social stories play an important role in helping your child enjoy the holidays.
You can view Essential Speech & ABA Therapy’s collection of holiday social stories here.
During the Break
Keep as much structure in your child’s life as possible! Meals, playtime, and sleep should be around the same time each day. If you're out and about during the holiday season, incorporate breaks into your outings. This will give your child time to de-stress and prevent autistic meltdowns.
You can also look for autism-friendly celebrations in your area. Search engines like Google and websites like Eventbrite will help you find autism-friendly activities in your community.
Gatherings with Families and Friends
Are you celebrating the season with loved ones? Tell them about your child’s needs and create a plan together. For example, if you’re visiting the grandparents for Thanksgiving, ask if they can set aside a “quiet corner” where your child can go if they feel overwhelmed.
If the person hosting has foods your child doesn’t like, pack their favorite dishes to take along. Finally, bring their favorite toy and a pair of headphones if they get overwhelmed.
If you need help explaining your child’s diagnosis to your friends and family, click here.
Giving Gifts
While presents are exciting, the commotion that comes with unwrapping them may overwhelm your child. Ensure your child has a quiet corner if they feel overwhelmed while opening presents!
Before the holidays, you can use visuals and social stories to help them prepare for the experience. You can even practice opening gifts at home! Make sure to open a few presents of your own so they master taking turns.
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