Some end of year tips for our autistic families
📆🎄 As we near the end of the year, it’s often a time of celebrations, events and experiences that can make Autistic family life challenging.
📆🏫 School becomes challenging – especially when assessments are completed and we automatic switch to activities such as CONCERTS! or DRESS UPS! classrooms are tidied up in anticipation of next year, and our previous familiar structure of days and weeks becomes very very unfamiliar and unsettling.
Take it slow into the end of this year! 🐢 Make sure to give your child access to shorter days that can provide a much needed break and minimize participation in noisy sensorily-challenging celebrations. 🎉 Work with your school team to ensure the holiday season is smooth and stress-free. 🤗
🎄 Celebrate Christmas in the best way possible for your family 🥰🎄 Creating a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings may not be suitable for every family – so don’t worry if it’s not the meal you end up preparing this year! It’s ok to elevate sensory needs to create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone 🤗
Your family’s celebration should be in a way that meets your families sensory needs, like familiar foods to make sure everyone is satisfied. 🤗 Don’t worry if you’re not doing the traditional roast dinner – that’s ok! 💕
Amidst the challenges, remember to be kind to yourself and your family! 💗💙Rather than striving for the ‘SHOULD’s, take time to create an environment of understanding, acceptance and celebration of difference. 🎉👨👩👧👦
