Foxhole Therapies’ Tips for a Successful Christmas Celebration
Christmas is a time to enjoy gatherings with extended family and friends and get some much needed rest, but navigating the holiday season with a child with autism can sometimes be challenging. Here are some tips and tricks from our BCBAs to help make holiday celebrations run smoothly for your child and your family:
Communication: Keep your child in the loop with all of your holiday plans. Rehearsing with your child what to expect each day can help prevent challenging moments that may arise due to changes in routine. You can do this through conversations, visual schedules, and first-then statements.
Schedule One-on-One Time With Your Child: In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, scheduling one-on-one time with your child can help prevent challenging moments that could arise due to diverted parental attention.
Find a Safe Place for Your Child to Take Breaks: If you’re visiting the homes of friends or family, find a space where your child can retreat if they need a break from the stimulation and newness of the environment. Show your child this space as soon as you arrive, and remind them they can take a break when they need to.
Allow Extra Time for Transitions: Several aspects of holiday celebrations can make transitions more difficult (more frequent transitions, new toys that are hard to leave, changes in routine). Allowing extra time in your schedule for transitions can help make those transitions as smooth as possible.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season! Merry Christmas from the Foxhole Family.
