Tips for the Holidays

Holidays can be a stressful time, especially for children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Following are some helpful tips to lessen the inevitable increased stimulation associated with the holiday season:

1. Try to establish as much of a routine as possible.
2. Try to limit the number of stores to which you expose your child/children.
3. Have your child/children help plan and organize the decorating process.
4. Some families find it helpful to only have one color of lights on the tree (the non-blinking variety may be less stimulating).
5. Holidays are associated with delicious smells; however; some fragrances are more calming then others: vanilla, chamomile, and lavender are best.
6. Add decorations to the inside and outside of your house slowly.
7. Use social stories as needed to prepare your child/children for upcoming events and/or changes in routine.
8. Limit the number of visible gifts.
9. Incorporate sensory activities into family functions (i.e., let them sit on a bouncy ball at the kid’s table for dinner, make snow angels, etc.).
10. Discuss realistic expectations for holiday events and family functions prior to their occurrence to avoid stress and disappointment.
11. It is all right to say “no” to anything that you think may cause undue stress to you, your family, and/or your child/children.
12. Enjoy the holidays!

This information was obtained from: Fraser
http://www.fraser.org