5 Holiday Blogs Every Parent of a Child with Autism Should Read

The holidays are a time of joyous celebrations, filled with family gatherings and festive traditions. However, for some families with children on the autism spectrum, these changes in routines and schedules can present unique challenges.   

Navigating this season requires thoughtful planning and understanding. To support you, we’ve curated our top holiday-themed blogs, offering tips from calming activities to successful holiday planning. Discover more below and check out our All Autism Talk podcast episode “Creating a Successful Holiday for Children with Autism” for additional ideas.  

Here are summaries of our top holiday blogs: 

1. 6 Calming Activities for the Hectic Holiday Season 

Discover practical solutions to help children with autism enjoy the holidays. This blog suggests creating a calm-down kit, using quiet spaces, and engaging in activities like yoga or meditation to manage sensory overload. 

2. Five Tips for Selecting the Best Holiday Gifts for Kids with Autism 

Gift-giving can be tricky, but this blog provides tips to choose the perfect gifts for children with autism. It emphasizes focusing on the child’s interests, strengths, and safety needs to ensure a joyful holiday experience. 

3. 8 Tips for Planning for a Successful Holiday for Your Autistic Child 

Planning is key to a stress-free holiday. This blog advises on maintaining routines, considering sensory needs, and practicing before events to allow for a smooth holiday season. 

4. Make the Holidays Successful for Kids on the Autism Spectrum 

Adaptability is crucial for holiday success. This blog highlights the importance of adjusting expectations and choosing traditions that work for your child. 

5. Why Gratitude Matters, and How to Foster It in Kids with ASD 

Gratitude can transform holiday experiences. This blog explores how fostering gratitude in children with autism can enhance their social and emotional well-being. 

Incorporating these strategies can lead to a more joyful and stress-free holiday season for your family. By tailoring these tips to fit your child’s unique needs, you can create an environment where they can thrive during festive celebrations. 

Self-Care and Sensory Needs for Neurodivergent Individuals

Dr. Megan Anna Neff, a Neurodivergent Psychologist joins us to discuss discovering her own autism in the aftermath of her child’s diagnosis and how that has inspired her passion to support the neurodivergent community. Dr. Neff describes the experience of her autism revelation in this way, “For the first time in my life, my body made sense, my experience of self made sense, and it was a powerful moment of liberation.” We also delve into helpful strategies about sensory sensitivity and self-care that are helpful for adults and parents of children with autism.

For more information:

neurodivergentinsights.com

@neurodivergent_insights on Instagram

All Autism Talk (https://www.allautismtalk.com/) is sponsored by LEARN Behavioral (https://learnbehavioral.com).

8 Tips for Planning for a Successful Holiday for Your Autistic Child

The holidays are an exciting time as we share traditions, spend time with family, and navigate the different gatherings and celebrations. Holiday spirit can also bring holiday stress. We want to help you and your family have the most successful (and least stressful) season by offering our best practices and tips.

BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS

Start with Expectations

Having a positive and realistic mindset about what you want to create can make a big difference. What could go right this season? Keep an optimistic view of the possibilities for special moments you want to share. A winning holiday doesn’t have to mean extravagant plans. Consider what would be ideal, be prepared to accept when flexibility is needed, and look for the wins along the way.

Consider Comfort and Safety Needs

When visiting events or other homes, bring items you know will bring comfort for your child—things like earplugs (or headphones), fidgets, and soft clothes. When traveling, ask for needed accommodations from your airline and hotel. Make sure you are aware of possible water nearby and review crisis plans with loved ones.

Practice Before Events

Now is a great time to discuss upcoming changes to schedules and routines. Involve your child in the process whenever possible. Playing memory games with photos of those you will see this holiday season allows your child to identify matching names and faces. Establish a phrase or code word with your child to practice using when they need to take a break from events to calm down and relax.

DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Maintain Routines

During the holidays, change is inevitable but find ways to create or maintain routines for your child. What are things you can build into every day? Perhaps it’s something you do together each morning, afternoon, and evening (regardless of location). Utilizing visual supports like calendars and independent activity schedules can be helpful too.

Build in Fun!

Whether days are filled with errands or time at home, consider letting your child choose a couple of activities each morning for the day ahead. Here are some suggestions that might work for your family:

  • Bake something together
  • Do holiday arts and crafts
  • Take a drive to see holiday lights in your neighborhood, zoo, or garden
  • Help with decorations or gift wrapping
  • Sing along with holiday music

Consider Sensory Needs

Holiday meals can be tricky for some. Plan ahead for alternative foods that you know your child will eat. As we mentioned earlier, being mindful of dressing in (or packing extra) comfortable clothing can be helpful. Preferred items, such as toys or other objects that help promote calm for your child, are a good idea too. Consider making a sensory box that includes things to stimulate your child’s touch/sight/sound/taste/smell. Finally, establish a quiet “break space” that your child can utilize when needed.

WRAPPING UP THE HOLIDAYS

Plan for Rest and Recovery

After each scheduled big event or outing, try to allow time for a quiet evening that follows. Start a list or document on your computer of things that went well that you want to repeat and ideas about what would make it easier next time.

Transition Back to School

Packing holiday decorations and unpacking clothes can be helpful signals to your child that things are moving back to the normal routine. Other visual cues like a countdown calendar for back to school can help prepare them. Show them when school starts and have them mark off the days. Leave extra time the first morning back to school so you can have a nice breakfast and move with ease into the day. If possible, organize a nice, calm activity after school and focus on what went well at the end of the day.