Holiday Ideas - A WebsiteBuilder Website

Holiday Ideas

Try to keep a schedule in place even if your child is out of school.

· Make sure that you have routines in place including a control journal or visual schedule, etc.

· Make sure that you let them know that a holiday is coming up. For example, stickers on a calendar or have your child cut out and glue together paper links. Paper links work especially well, because this project includes drawing lines, cutting, gluing, and sequencing.

Remember that your child is probably having to deal with increased sensory input...try to decrease this as much as possible while still enjoying the holidays.

· Limit the number of seasonal decorations in your home. Pick just a few special decorations.

· Remember that stores often have holiday scents that may be overwhelming to your child (cinnamon pine cones, etc). Be aware of these smells and limit your child's exposure if your child is sensitive.

· Many times the holidays means more people out and about, which may be difficult for a child that has a hard time dealing with sounds or touch. Be sensitive and limit the length of your shopping trips. Do not do marathon shopping trips with your child...break your shopping into shorter trips with movement activities in between for your child.

· Opening presents may sound like fun, but may not be if your child has auditory issues. If they do, you can use gift bags or wrap gifts in fabric.

Food is often a large part of the holidays, and many of our children have issues with various foods.

· This is NOT the day to fight food issues. Increasing your child's diet takes time, and should be worked on throughout the year...not on the day of a special event. If you want your child to eat what everyone else is eating, find out what is on the menu and try adding those foods to your child's diet before the day of the event.

· Make sure that there will be something available that they will eat, and if there will not be anything appropriate available, bring something for them to eat…even if it is something to snack on.

· Practice sitting at the table with others and make it a routine prior to the day of the holiday. Again holidays are not the time to fight additional battles with your child.

Travel

· Have games, snacks, or other enjoyable activities available if you are traveling.

· Take movement breaks, if possible, during the trip or bring fidget toys like squishy balls and tactile balls to occupy the child and give them sensory input.

· If the child is a jumping and crashing kid, try something like letting them chew gum or eat chewy or crunchy things to give them the input that they need.

New places/expectations outside of their routine

· Use social stories to talk about expectations. For example, when I get to my family’s house, sometimes it will be loud or there will be too many people touching me….when that happens I can go to a quiet place(designated before the event)to get away for a few minutes.

· If you can get pictures of where you are going, make a book ahead of time that you can look at, and talk about what will be happening. This will lessen everyone’s anxiety.

New people interacting with your child that you are not normally around and that don’t “know” your child.

· Educate people ahead of time, if possible.

· If your child is sensitive to touch, hugs and close contact with family members who don’t understand may be difficult for your child.

Have your child make a holiday bag

· Have your child decorate a grocery type bag with construction paper, paint or markers in the theme of the holiday.

· Use this bag to put all special items, treats, fidget toys, food, etc. for your child so you don’t forget anything and your child will know where to find all of their favorite things.