Holiday & Seasonal tips

Halloween is quickly approaching! It is a great time to make memories and do family activities; but, it can be a challenging time for some children with autism. Use these tips to help your family have a fun and successful Halloween!

1. Prepare your child – Prior to trick or treating, spend time watching videos of trick-or-treating or create a visual story for your child. Use pictures, drawings or even read a book of what Halloween may be like.

2. Try on costumes ahead of time so that your child knows what to expect. This also allows time to make sure the costume fits and is comfortable. If your child can not tolerate the costume fabric, consider just a Halloween themed t shirt like one with a pumpkin or a Halloween graphic shirt. Ask your neighbor’s to participate in your child’s preparation. Practice going to a neighbor’s house and ringing the doorbell to receive candy.

3. Safety – Large crowds can be very difficult for children with autism therefore keeping your child safe is the number one priority. Use flashlights or glow sticks to know where your child is at all times.

4. Make Halloween fun not scary- Try going to familiar places that your child may be comfortable with already, such as family or friends homes, or the schools fall festival. Consider avoiding homes with a lot of lights and frightening decorations. Does your child have a favorite stuffed animal or toy? Allow them to bring it with them for comfort.

5. Keep it short and simple. Your child may not be able to go to all the houses in the neighborhood. Maybe just 1 house is a win. It’s okay – don’t try to force more if you see signs that your child is becoming overwhelmed.

6. Remember your child’s individual needs and tolerances to situations. If an activity is too much for them right now, it’s okay. Have a plan, and don’t be discouraged if you don’t get to do all of things you had planned.

7. Use a Blue Pumpkin candy bucket. Some people use a blue pumpkin to indicate to others that their child has autism or sensory processing needs. 

8. End on a positive note! If you see your child starting to become over stimulated or escalating, end the activity before your child gets upset. 

What other strategies help you to have a successful Halloween?

Looking for Fun Fall Sensory Activities? Individuals with autism (okay, really all of us) often enjoy a variety of sensory activities. When thinking of sensory activities, think of your child’s preferences…visuals, textures, sounds, pressure, smells, tastes. You want to develop sensory activities and spaces that work for your child’s unique needs.

Try one of these…

Leaf Raking -This can be a great sensory activity as well as an exciting physical activity. Make a pile, then jump on in!

Fall Sensory Bins- Fill a jar or bin with fall items such as leaves, pine cones, pumpkin seeds, and then add water.

Carving a pumpkin? The insides can be a great sensory activity. Put the gooey seeds in a bin and you child can play while you carve.

What other fun fall activities have you tried?

1. Make a photo album in advance of relatives and friends who you will see during holiday events.
   • This can help some children remember the names of relatives or family friends.  It can also help ease anxiety about new or unfamiliar faces.
2. Use a calendar to mark the dates of upcoming events.
   • Many children will anxiously await the holidays, asking over and over when it will come! Time can be a tricky concept for many kids. Use a calendar to countdown the days until the big events.
3. Write and read a story together of what to expect during the holidays.
   • Many children simply don’t know what is expected of them during these chaotic holiday events.  From visiting Santa to crowded holiday parties and itchy sweaters, the holidays are full of new and unusual experiences.  Help your child know what to expect and what is expected from them, but writing a story and reading it to them often leading up to the event.
4. Teach your child how to leave a situation or get support when an event becomes overwhelming.
   • No matter how much you prepare and try to prevent situations that you know will set your child off, life is not full-proof, and it’s often impossible to prevent all situations where your child may struggle.  Teach your child a signal or phrase that gives them a way out when they are upset or overwhelmed.  For example, a tap on your arm or a simple word like “break”.  You can also give them a comforting place to go, such as a quiet corner.  Make sure to practice this over and over again before the big event, so they are fluent and a simple cue by you will prompt them to use this skill if they are unable to independently.
5. Give simple, clear instructions when in new situations.
   • Holidays can be extremely overwhelming, and often the more words told to a child with autism or a developmental disability, the more difficult it can be for them to process those instructions and act accordingly.  Keep your instructions short and to the point by using only a few words.  For example:
     

     Instead of this….	Say this…
     “Come over here and sit down next to me.”	“Sit here.” and point
     “Take off your shoes and your coat and put them over here.”	“Shoes off.” Wait until finished. “Coat off.” Wait. “Put here”
     “Let’s decorate the tree! Get all your ornaments and carefully put them on the tree.  Here’s a string of lights, let’s put them up.”	“Put the snowman on.” “Hold this end of the lights.”

6. Use “First___,Then____” to help your child get through unpreferred situations.
   • This simple statement allows your child to see the payoff in the end, know what and is next, and prevent anxiety and meltdowns.  Avoid the urge to over-explain why they have to do certain things, be simple, to the point, and brief.
7. Make and reference a visual schedule of the day’s events.
   • Many children with autism are visual learners.  A written or picture schedule can be a great tool to guide your child through the steps in their day.  When referenced before each event or task, it can help give your child a roadmap of each step of the day. 
8. If you are traveling, make a ‘busy bag’ with tasks that are easy and fun to do!
   • Traveling can be boring for anyone.  Children with autism may not know what to do with themselves during long trips or in places where they have to wait a long time.  Teaching them leisure skills is greatly beneficial.  Think about the times when you have to wait…do you sit and do nothing? No, you pick up your phone or read a magazine.  You find something to do.  Children with autism may struggle to spontaneously find activities to do during leisure times.  Busy bags or binders can give them activities to do and make those travel times less stressful for all.
9. Practice opening gifts, giving gifts, taking turns and waiting.  
   • Practicing routines or activities prior to the real event can greatly increase the success of children with autism.  This allows them to learn the skills prior to the big day.  Teach them how to open gifts, wait their turn, or even respond appropriately to receiving an unwanted gift.  Allowing them to have a small treat or their favorite item/toy while they wait can also help them learn.
10. Set yourself up for success.
    • You know your child best.  You know what activities they are capable of successfully doing, and what activities may cause stress, anxiety, and problem behaviors.  Don’t put added pressure on yourself or your child to participate in activities or events that you know they aren’t quite ready to do.  Be okay with saying no to situations you know your child will struggle with.  Do the activities that you can enjoy and prepare for.  Set yourself up for success so everyone can enjoy the holiday!