11/28/2024
1. Communicate and establish clear boundaries
It’s important to let your child know what will happen during Thanksgiving or the following days. You can use social stories, role-playing, or even dolls or puppets to explain who will be visiting, how everyone will eat together and socialize, and what it means to be thankful.
Remember to communicate with family and friends who will be attending your gathering. Be sure that they understand your child’s needs and sensitivities, and set clear boundaries and guidelines to avoid misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Doing so can create a comfortable and more inclusive environment where everyone feels respected.
2. Provide a visual schedule and supports
Many children with autism prefer to follow a predictable schedule, and often, with events and holidays like Thanksgiving, that routine is turned upside down. Creating a visual schedule with pictures to show what will occur or when will help provide some calm during this hectic time. Looking at the timeline with your child throughout the day can help them feel less anxious while providing some structure to the whirlwind of events.
For children with autism who have limited verbal communication skills, visual supports such as communication boards or picture exchange systems can be helpful for them to communicate with other family members and friends during the Thanksgiving festivities. These types of supports are useful for non-verbal and minimally verbal autistic people.
3. Involve your child in meal planning
Children with autism often have issues with eating certain foods. Eating can be challenging, from how it looks or smells to how it feels in their mouth. Research suggests that when a child with autism can make food choices or help with meal preparation, this can help create better eating habits.
Ask what favorite food item they would like to see on the festive table and give them some age-appropriate tasks to help prepare the dinner. This can help reduce some of those challenges that may have occurred during mealtimes.
4. Offer sensory-friendly foods, activities, and spaces
Speaking of foods, because some children with autism are sensitive to certain textures, smells, or tastes, Thanksgiving can present some challenges with the array of sustenance. Be sure to prepare a few options for your child that appeal to their senses. If they prefer softer foods, some mashed potatoes will be a good choice for everyone. If your child enjoys crunchy food, some raw carrots on their plate can help.
As the day progresses with noisy football games and loud discussions, you might have some activities to help engage your child’s senses. Depending on their age, you can set out some craft items so they can make a cute turkey or a thankful collage. Fill some bins with holiday-themed objects or dried corn for them to dig through or pour from one container to another.
Sometimes, sensory overload can occur during a big family event like Thanksgiving. For people with autism, this can be stressful. Plan with your child to designate a special spot if they feel the event has become overwhelming.
Provide fidget toys, noise-canceling headphones, and even a weighted blanket. If they don’t know how, teach them to take calming breaths or perform calming activities. You can schedule these sensory breaks throughout the day to help them reduce their anxiety and hopefully prevent any meltdowns.
5. Be flexible and practice self-care
Finally, parents and caregivers must remember that flexibility is key with any holiday. Plans change, gravy spills, and children can become overwhelmed with all the frivolities. Holidays can be stressful, so remember to ask for help, take breaks as needed, and give yourself some grace. When you feel calm and have a sense of well-being, you will exude that to the child in your life with autism.
