Tips for Enjoying the Holidays With an Autistic Child

 

Holidays can be tough for children with autism. They may be even tougher on us as parents and siblings. But the good news is that for every problem you might encounter, there are real-world solutions you can put in place to make the season bright!

Sensory Issues

Many people with autism have strong negative reactions to bright lights, loud noises, strong flavors and smells.1 The holidays can sometimes feel like a sensory assault! When you're facing the probability of a sensory meltdown, here are some strategies to try:

My tree is up my son also help 

Have a plan B in case of sensory overload. Some children can handle crowds and noise, but only for a limited amount of time. If you decide to take your autistic child to a big holiday event, be sure to have an alternate "plan B" just in case it turns out to be too much for him. If it's just the two of you, you can simply leave. If other siblings or friends are coming along, know in advance which adult will take your autistic child out of the difficult situation while others can stay and enjoy the experience.

We take our son to our daughter basketball team 

Choose sensory-friendly options. While flashing lights on a Christmas tree might overwhelm your child, gently changing lights might charm him. Luckily, modern LED Christmas lights offer multiple ways to enjoy the twinkling. You can also, in many cities, find "sensory friendly" Santas, shops, and other holidays offerings. If these aren't available in your hometown, consider having a small, low-key "visit from Santa" in your own home.

My son loves our tree since my kids both advised me to keep the tree 

Avoid the sensory challenges. Do you really need to take your child shopping with you, or could you possibly shop online, find a sitter, or ask someone else to pick up some items for you? These days, Internet options are just as good as in-person shopping; you can even get the grocery store to deliver.

So this is one of my biggest challenges my son don’t like to be in one place for too long so he stay with my husband 

Give your tough show me your Christmas tree this is the Bradley tree