A
ajk112802
Guest
Most of you know I'm an ESE teacher and provide home therapy for children with special needs. This can be a difficult time of year for kids with special needs. Even the "good things" about the holiday season can be stressful and agitating. Below is a list of suggestions to make it easier compiled by Autism Speaks. This might be helpful to your children or you may know someone who may find it helpful, please pass it on....
Happy Holidays!
----- Original Message -----
Holiday Tips for Special Needs Children
Editor's note: The tips below were submitted by members of the Autism Speaks community. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors exclusively.
- If giving a toy that is packaged with many (sometimes up to 20) twist ties holding the item together, we open the package/box and remove most but not all twist ties and then repackage it. Come time to open gifts, this saves a lot of time and reduces anxiety all around when the child needs help to remove the toy from the package/box.
- Our son is very afraid of Santa and does not like the idea of him sneaking into the house at night to deliver gifts. We try to open gifts on Christmas Eve now that our son is aware that "Santa" is for little kids. Last year when he still "believed", I sent him out to look at Christmas lights with Dad. While they were gone I put the gifts under the tree. When they returned I told our son that Santa knew he was afraid so he brought the gifts by early (gave them directly to Mom) before he headed out for his all night ride around the world. I told him he was very special because Santa made an extra trip so that he would not be scared.
- For kids that won't or are hesitant to unwrap pretty packaged gifts, wrapping them in clear wrap such as cellophane with a nice bow, etc sometimes works so that they can see what's inside before opening.
- We make sure that when going out to other peoples homes for special dinners (year round) that our son knows he has a "safe place" that he can go while visiting that home to calm down and get away from the other family members/people for a break. We would never get him to their home if we did not arrange this before leaving our home. We make every effort to reduce the "excitement" level and stay calm during such a busy time of the year. Reducing expectations on everyone is necessary for us to make it through December.
- We will also opt to let our child "sit out" the Christmas Concert activities at school. The concerts have proven to be a bad experience for him each year he tries to participate. If he wants to go watch we include him but don't require that he is on stage with the class.
Make it Merry!
Minimize anxiety by preparing your child well in advance of your celebration.
Avoid crowded malls and other overstimulating venues.
Keep to a schedule as much as possible -- it will be hard to get your child (and yourself) back on track.
Expectations – inform your child who to expect will attend social gatherings. View family photos beforehand; review their names.
Involve your child in holiday preparations. Decorate gradually if your child has difficulty accepting change.
Traveling during the holidays is stressful for everyone. Pack favorite toys/foods that can help calm your child.
Make sure the host/hostess offers foods your child can eat if he/she is on a special diet. Better yet, bring the prepared dish wrapped in a festive bow!
Educate those that will celebrate with you about your child's needs or dislikes (i.e. hugs from relatives ).
Role play – practice opening gifts, waiting for others, courteous responses.
Recognize the signs of overstimulating – if you sense your child is becoming overwhelmed, direct him/her to a quiet area.
Your child is the most precious gift of all – see the wonders of the season through the eyes of your child and have a joyous holiday!
Happy Holidays!
----- Original Message -----
Holiday Tips for Special Needs Children
Editor's note: The tips below were submitted by members of the Autism Speaks community. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors exclusively.
- If giving a toy that is packaged with many (sometimes up to 20) twist ties holding the item together, we open the package/box and remove most but not all twist ties and then repackage it. Come time to open gifts, this saves a lot of time and reduces anxiety all around when the child needs help to remove the toy from the package/box.
- Our son is very afraid of Santa and does not like the idea of him sneaking into the house at night to deliver gifts. We try to open gifts on Christmas Eve now that our son is aware that "Santa" is for little kids. Last year when he still "believed", I sent him out to look at Christmas lights with Dad. While they were gone I put the gifts under the tree. When they returned I told our son that Santa knew he was afraid so he brought the gifts by early (gave them directly to Mom) before he headed out for his all night ride around the world. I told him he was very special because Santa made an extra trip so that he would not be scared.
- For kids that won't or are hesitant to unwrap pretty packaged gifts, wrapping them in clear wrap such as cellophane with a nice bow, etc sometimes works so that they can see what's inside before opening.
- We make sure that when going out to other peoples homes for special dinners (year round) that our son knows he has a "safe place" that he can go while visiting that home to calm down and get away from the other family members/people for a break. We would never get him to their home if we did not arrange this before leaving our home. We make every effort to reduce the "excitement" level and stay calm during such a busy time of the year. Reducing expectations on everyone is necessary for us to make it through December.
- We will also opt to let our child "sit out" the Christmas Concert activities at school. The concerts have proven to be a bad experience for him each year he tries to participate. If he wants to go watch we include him but don't require that he is on stage with the class.
Make it Merry!
Minimize anxiety by preparing your child well in advance of your celebration.
Avoid crowded malls and other overstimulating venues.
Keep to a schedule as much as possible -- it will be hard to get your child (and yourself) back on track.
Expectations – inform your child who to expect will attend social gatherings. View family photos beforehand; review their names.
Involve your child in holiday preparations. Decorate gradually if your child has difficulty accepting change.
Traveling during the holidays is stressful for everyone. Pack favorite toys/foods that can help calm your child.
Make sure the host/hostess offers foods your child can eat if he/she is on a special diet. Better yet, bring the prepared dish wrapped in a festive bow!
Educate those that will celebrate with you about your child's needs or dislikes (i.e. hugs from relatives ).
Role play – practice opening gifts, waiting for others, courteous responses.
Recognize the signs of overstimulating – if you sense your child is becoming overwhelmed, direct him/her to a quiet area.
Your child is the most precious gift of all – see the wonders of the season through the eyes of your child and have a joyous holiday!
