Happy Holidays from Autistikids!
Holidays are often stressful - the break in routine, the over-taxed schedules, unexpected visits, overloaded senses. The sensory and social challenges of autism can magnify these stresses to a point where they are hard to manage and cope with. We've put together the links below to help families prepare for the challenges of the holidays. We hope you are able to create a holiday that works best for you!
Holidays are often stressful - the break in routine, the over-taxed schedules, unexpected visits, overloaded senses. The sensory and social challenges of autism can magnify these stresses to a point where they are hard to manage and cope with. We've put together the links below to help families prepare for the challenges of the holidays. We hope you are able to create a holiday that works best for you!
NOTE: If there is a holiday you DON'T see in this list, and have had experiences with challenges autistic people may face, please email us with the holiday and links to helpful info. We appreciate hearing from you and receiving helpful links, and we will add those resources, with appropriate credits. Thank you!
Celebrating the Asperger’s Way - all about making the holidays work for your family and not being trapped by what they "should" be.
Autism and Holiday Schedules
by Judy Endow
As an autistic getting through the holiday time can be quite tricky. As an autistic parent with children who had different needs it was even trickier. Routine and structure can go a long way! They anchor the days that can otherwise be perceived by an autism neurology as totally chaotic, which in turn, often leads to being overwhelmed and experiencing meltdowns. READ MORE
by Judy Endow
As an autistic getting through the holiday time can be quite tricky. As an autistic parent with children who had different needs it was even trickier. Routine and structure can go a long way! They anchor the days that can otherwise be perceived by an autism neurology as totally chaotic, which in turn, often leads to being overwhelmed and experiencing meltdowns. READ MORE
when a seder is overloading
by Real Social Skills
"How do you deal with sensory overload in a situation where you can’t leave?
realsocialskills said:
Based on context, I think you’re probably asking about being overloaded at a large noisy seder.
There might be more options for leaving and taking a break than you might realize. I’m going to discuss those, then some thoughts on how to deal with it if leaving isn’t an option...."
Some options for taking breaks: READ MORE
by Real Social Skills
"How do you deal with sensory overload in a situation where you can’t leave?
realsocialskills said:
Based on context, I think you’re probably asking about being overloaded at a large noisy seder.
There might be more options for leaving and taking a break than you might realize. I’m going to discuss those, then some thoughts on how to deal with it if leaving isn’t an option...."
Some options for taking breaks: READ MORE
Holiday Letter to Friends and Family
by Viki Gayhardt
Dear Friends and Family,
I understand that we will be visiting each other for the holidays this year! Sometimes these visits can be very hard for me, but here is some information that might help our visit to be more successful.
As you probably know, I am challenged by a hidden disability called autism or what some people refer to as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Autism/PDD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which makes it hard for me to understand the environment around me. I have barriers in my brain that you can't see but which make it difficult for me to adapt to my surroundings. READ MORE
by Viki Gayhardt
Dear Friends and Family,
I understand that we will be visiting each other for the holidays this year! Sometimes these visits can be very hard for me, but here is some information that might help our visit to be more successful.
As you probably know, I am challenged by a hidden disability called autism or what some people refer to as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Autism/PDD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which makes it hard for me to understand the environment around me. I have barriers in my brain that you can't see but which make it difficult for me to adapt to my surroundings. READ MORE
Here come the holidays….And the Buttinskies….Expectations….Who are they for?
by Marianne at The Coffee Klatch
My father once told me “Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed”. I can’t say I agree with that but I do agree that expectations can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. That feeling or belief about how successful, good, or positive someone or something will be often sets us up for failure.
Of course we need to have goals but I think we need to always ask ourselves … these expectations … who are they for?
When thinking about expectations there is no slope as slippery as the one parents with special needs children are on and of those, the parents of children with invisible disabilities have it the hardest. READ MORE
by Marianne at The Coffee Klatch
My father once told me “Expect nothing and you will never be disappointed”. I can’t say I agree with that but I do agree that expectations can cause a lot of stress and anxiety. That feeling or belief about how successful, good, or positive someone or something will be often sets us up for failure.
Of course we need to have goals but I think we need to always ask ourselves … these expectations … who are they for?
When thinking about expectations there is no slope as slippery as the one parents with special needs children are on and of those, the parents of children with invisible disabilities have it the hardest. READ MORE
Christmas / Chanukkah / Kwanzaa / New Years
5 tools to get through Christmas (and other family holidays)
Tips to make your holidays happy days
Autism and the Holidays: Reducing Stress for Families
5 tools to get through Christmas (and other family holidays)
Tips to make your holidays happy days
Autism and the Holidays: Reducing Stress for Families
Halloween
8 tips for a safe and enjoyable Halloween
by Seattle Children's Hospital
With all the spooky costumes, scary decorations, eerie noises, and sugary candy, Halloween can be a pretty overwhelming day and night for a child with autism.
Here are 8 tips for a safe and enjoyable Halloween for your child with autism:
8 tips for a safe and enjoyable Halloween
by Seattle Children's Hospital
With all the spooky costumes, scary decorations, eerie noises, and sugary candy, Halloween can be a pretty overwhelming day and night for a child with autism.
Here are 8 tips for a safe and enjoyable Halloween for your child with autism:
- Let your child practice wearing their costume at home... READ MORE
Some strategies for wearing costumes by Real Social Skills (visit for additional posts)
Some people like to buy bagged costumes for costume stores, but that isn’t a good option for everyone.
Some reasons bagged costumes are not a good option for everyone:
- Bagged costumes are often really expensive
- They tend to have unpleasant textures, fabrics, smells, and seams
- It might be hard to find one in your size, especially if you are a woman and don’t want to wear a sexualized costume.
- You might not find one you like
- The costume store might be too unpleasant or overloading to tolerate
Luckily, there are other options. READ MORE
Some people like to buy bagged costumes for costume stores, but that isn’t a good option for everyone.
Some reasons bagged costumes are not a good option for everyone:
- Bagged costumes are often really expensive
- They tend to have unpleasant textures, fabrics, smells, and seams
- It might be hard to find one in your size, especially if you are a woman and don’t want to wear a sexualized costume.
- You might not find one you like
- The costume store might be too unpleasant or overloading to tolerate
Luckily, there are other options. READ MORE
Thanksgiving
6 Tips for Success on Thanksgiving
by differentlearn.com
Holidays can be challenging for everyone in the family. Your to-do lists get longer, your routines are switched around, and all the little stresses can be especially difficult for yourchild with autism. Here are a few tips to ease the difficulties related to Thanksgiving. (T H A N K S)
Tell= Prepare your child for who/what they will see at Thanksgiving. This may include creating a social story or showing photos of people your child does not know or see often... READ MORE
6 Tips for Success on Thanksgiving
by differentlearn.com
Holidays can be challenging for everyone in the family. Your to-do lists get longer, your routines are switched around, and all the little stresses can be especially difficult for yourchild with autism. Here are a few tips to ease the difficulties related to Thanksgiving. (T H A N K S)
Tell= Prepare your child for who/what they will see at Thanksgiving. This may include creating a social story or showing photos of people your child does not know or see often... READ MORE
Forth of July
Tips for celebrating the Fourth of July with a child with autism
The Fourth of July brings fireworks, barbecues, patriotic band music and lots of flag-waving crowds. For families of some children with autism or sensory processing difficulties, all of that holiday “fun” can be a recipe for a meltdown.
The noises, smells and crowds can be overwhelming and send a child with autism into sensory overload, said Aviva Weiss, a mom of six and an occupational therapist in Merion Station, Pa. READ MORE
Tips for celebrating the Fourth of July with a child with autism
The Fourth of July brings fireworks, barbecues, patriotic band music and lots of flag-waving crowds. For families of some children with autism or sensory processing difficulties, all of that holiday “fun” can be a recipe for a meltdown.
The noises, smells and crowds can be overwhelming and send a child with autism into sensory overload, said Aviva Weiss, a mom of six and an occupational therapist in Merion Station, Pa. READ MORE
travel
This was specifically done at Alaska Airlines, but video may be helpful for air travel in general:
Traveling with a Sensory Seeking Child
by Special-ism
If you have a child with a sensory processing disorder and/or other isms, extra planning can help make the experience more successful and less stressful for everyone. When you plan your vacation, think about your child’s sensory needs and how they respond to different environments. Also consider the amount of structure they need or tolerate. Every child’s needs are different and parents need to be detectives in order to discover what works best for their child. READ MORE
by Special-ism
If you have a child with a sensory processing disorder and/or other isms, extra planning can help make the experience more successful and less stressful for everyone. When you plan your vacation, think about your child’s sensory needs and how they respond to different environments. Also consider the amount of structure they need or tolerate. Every child’s needs are different and parents need to be detectives in order to discover what works best for their child. READ MORE
