The Autism News | Special Guest

By Anna Olson, Mother of AJ, Marlo and Husband Ian

Holidays typically are a time of great joy, sharing and renewing relationships with family and friends. For
those of us with family members who have special needs, this can present unique challenges. We, and
our family members, still hold the same desires and hopes for the season as all others do.

Our son (who is a lovely 8 year old with autism), loves his family and cousins. The Holidays do create
extra stressors for him that we have learned to adjust to and plan for. There always seems to be a
precarious balance between planning, managing expectations and luck. The best advice our family has
learned are as follows:

1-Bring their own favorite foods with you. Often the foods served are unfamiliar and will leave them
starving, this only leads to grumpy little snowmen.

2-Bring their favorite movie/video game system/sensory toys. Pre arrange for a quiet space for them to
retreat to when stimulus gets too intense and they need a private igloo break.

3-Don’t force them to play silly reindeer games (unless they want to!). These might be confusing and
stressful for our kiddos. Why are the naughty little elves trying to steal my presents?

4-Don’t pack too many stops/activities into one day. Aren’t five days of Christmas always better than
one anyways?

5-Don’t make them wear something that they don’t want to. Grumpy insides make a Grinch on the
outside.

6-Educate the fellow partiers ahead of time if you feel necessary. You can explain triggers, possible
behaviors they may see, your strategies to help and your expectations of the host/hostess. Who wants a
stressed out Mrs. Claus?

7-Discuss your plans ahead of time with your family member. Try using social stories. Even if you aren’t
sure they are “getting it”, these can help managing their expectations, behaviors and spur on dialogue.

Above all, remember that it’s their Holiday too. Best of luck, warm wishes and game on!

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