Autism and the Holidays: Tips for Navigating Challenges of Children with Autism

For many families, the holidays are one of the best times of the year! It’s an exciting time when friends and family gather together to celebrate the season with laughter, food, and lots of other fun festivities. However, the holidays may be harder than usual for children on the autism spectrum; this can cause some unique challenges that can impact their ability to enjoy themselves during this time of year. If you’re wondering how to address holiday challenges for children with autism, here are some helpful tips to consider.

 

1. Get organized

 

Prepare a detailed itinerary for the holidays, especially if it involves traveling. Write down daily activities while always keeping what your child likes in mind. Include in the itinerary what to bring for each activity, and any special needs-related information or needs that may come up at each location. Consider packing an emergency bag of essentials (medications, snacks, water bottles) in case they are needed while traveling. Put all of this information in a place where it is easily accessible on your phone or iPad so that you can quickly refer to it when needed.

 

2. Stick to routines as much as possible

 

Make sure that you have shown and explained the itinerary to your child, and stick to it as much as possible. Try to minimize changes in routines or locations so they don't come as a surprise. Be prepared with the food they like at all of your stops, especially if you will be traveling from place to place. As always, be vigilant about your child's personal space boundaries, since this can be even more difficult during crowded times. Lastly, always keep the safety of your child in mind. Avoid high-pressure situations where sensory overwhelm is an issue (such as mingling with family members or guests). 

 

3. Be prepared for meltdowns

 

Be prepared with toys or something to distract or calm your child during meltdowns. If you know what triggers your child, be ready to address those as well (i.e. always bring noise-canceling headphones if you know that loud sound or music triggers your child). If you don't know what triggers your child, try to keep a log of when meltdowns happen so that you can find patterns in their behavior. Avoid using food to divert attention; instead offer something that is calming like playing with a toy, music that they like, or story time. Talk about these strategies with family members ahead of time so it's not an overwhelming surprise for your child.

 

4. Take the opportunity to teach your child something new

 

Take the opportunity to teach your child a new vocabulary. You can say, "Look, Santa Claus!" or "Look at the snow! It's so pretty!" Teach your child to look at the lights on the Christmas tree. These things may seem obvious to you, but they are new to your child. Be patient as your child learns these new skills. Take time to find out what makes this time of year special for them and engage in it with them. Help them learn social skills by helping them understand that not everyone celebrates this holiday the same way as they do - share traditions from other cultures too!

 

5. Take breaks

 

When things get overwhelming for your child, take a break. The activity may be as simple as going outside or taking a short break from mingling with the family to do something else. For children with autism, breaks can help to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as help them stay focused for longer periods. It is important not to schedule too many events into one day, as this will likely overwhelm the child and cause meltdowns. It is also important to find out if any triggers could affect the way your child reacts on that particular day (i.e., allergies).

 

6. Reinforce good behavior

 

Pay attention to your child and provide positive reinforcement for good behavior. For example, if you notice your child saying "hello" to guests, praise them by saying "Thank you so much for being such a big boy and saying hello to our guests!" and give them an extra hug or kiss. In this way, children with autism can start to form new habits in these situations because they are learning from their parents' responses. They also feel more connected to their family as it becomes clear that everyone is working together as a team.