Holidays are here!
Holidays are the time to have a break from our daily routine and enjoy time with family & friends, do fun activities, visit new places, go to bed late or eat out in a restaurants.
However, for children under the spectrum going on a trip and changing their routine can be stressful and terrifying.
Below you will find a list of general tips that may help your child & family feel more comfortable when traveling and enjoy the holidays
Social stories
Social stories were created to explain social situations to children with autism. To help them develop a greater understanding and learn ways of reacting in these certain situations. Knowing what to expect during the holidays can help avoid stress for everyone in the family. You can create your personal social story depending on the situation. Show pictures of where are you going, discuss what is going to happen during the holidays and what behavior is expected of everyone involved. You can also review a calendar and cross-out days so they have a physical countdown of when these events are going to happen.
Most important: make it fun!
“Fake it until you make it”
Roleplaying holiday activities and creating social scripts ahead of time may help the holidays run easier. Whether going to the beach or mountains, packing your suitcase, practicing a new activity, or sitting on an airplane, help your child feel prepared.
Getting to Know Family members
If your holidays include visiting family or friends that your child has not met or seen in a long time, you may want to start by showing them pictures of the people they are going to see. According to your child's age, you can create a picture book with notes about each person or simply have a conversation describing everyone: physical looks, profession, relationship, etc
On the other hand, telling your family and friends about your child’s potential triggers, what he/she enjoys doing, and how they communicate, can help your visitors get to know better your child.
Plan B
Come up with a backup plan for when you go away from home or out of your hotel room; let your child bring some of his/her favorite activities and soothing toys (blankets, teddies, a rock anything they may like) also, your child can help you pack some of the food he/she will eat for sure - just in case you have a picky eater at home. When you are in a new place, locate a safe and quiet area where your child can take a break in case, he/she needs to.
·Baby Steps
Gently drives your child into the holiday season. Try to make it as easy as possible. For example, you can start by making a list (with them) of the things they need to pack. Guide them to pack their suitcase gradually to prevent them from feeling overwhelmed. Add only a couple of items each time, until everything is packed. Taking baby steps will help the gradual adaptation of the future event.
Sensory Relief
Many children with ASD tend to have hypersensibility to certain stimuli. If your child also does, prepare them to face sensory overstimulation in the place of holidays. Avoid places or events that could agitate them, such as concerts, light, and music shows, or crowded places. Use again the baby steps strategy to help your child slightly adapt to the stimuli in mention before going on vacation. Bring with you any sensory adaptive aids such as noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, or sensory balls that may help your child cope with the overstimulation.
Communication
We encourage you to speak up for your child’s needs and let the people around you know how they can support your child and your family to have the greatest holidays.