Inspired Insights: Creating a Structured, Sensory-Friendly Holiday Plan
Inspired Insights: Creating a Structured, Sensory-Friendly Holiday Plan
by Stephanie Shuttleworth, MEd, office coordinator at Child Inspired Therapy
Blinking lights, family parties, decorations, and singing carols are what come to mind when we think of the holidays. The hustle and bustle of the season may bring joy to many, but can also be the source of anxiety, stress, and uncertainty, especially for children and adults with autism or sensory sensitivities.
The main keys to the success this holiday season are understanding, support, and comfort. Allowing your child to experience these things in a way that feels good to them. It’s more about quality than quantity.
Photo courtesy of Cottonbro Studio
Child Inspired team members were surveyed and asked questions related to creating a sensory-friendly holiday plan. Seven team members participated, two mental health counselors, two speech therapists, two occupational therapists, and one occupational therapy assistant. Their responses were thoughtful, insightful, and hopefully you’ll find helpful as well. This article is reflective of our therapists’ experiences and recommendations as they relate to the topic.
Common sources of holiday anxiety and sensory overload
Team members identified the following as potential stressors during the holidays:
- Changes in routine
- Large family gatherings
- Loud music or unexpected noises
- Crowded environments
- Bright or flashing lights
- Unfamiliar foods or smells
- Traveling
- Pressure to participate in activities
Photo courtesy of Anastasia Shuraeva
Anxiety may also be influenced by social expectations and related experiences. Christine Stang, Child Inspired speech therapist, shared that “high expectations from family member[s] and stress among family members” are potential concerns. Emotions, both positive and negative, are often heightened during celebrations and gatherings. Finding ways to limit the chaos and adjusting expectations can prove to be the most invaluable and simplest strategies of all. The holidays don’t have to be a whirlwind. Here are some tips from our Child Inspired team to help you navigate the holiday hustle with a little more calm and cheer.
Prepare ahead: Make the unfamiliar more predictable
We know that with the holidays come changes to our typical routines, bedtime adjustments, breaks from school, and introductions to new activities. The importance of preparing children before the holidays was a common tip shared by all of our therapists surveyed. Practicing routines and expectations ahead of time can help make unfamiliar experiences feel more comfortable and predictable. Visual schedules, sharing photos or videos of the location, and providing your child with advanced notice before going on a trip or attending a celebration can help your child know what to expect. Additionally, trying to sustain as
Photo courtesy of Cottonbro Studio
much familiarity as possible is suggested. Try to eat meals at the same time as usual, keep bedtime routines intact when possible, and continue incorporating preferred activities. Simply discussing the changes with your child or reading a social story can prove to be a valuable tool for building comfort, confidence, and ease the stress prior to an event.
Advice from our team
Christine Stang, speech therapist, offered this reminder for extended family:
"Encourage extended family to give your child extra time and space since they are taking in a lot and may become overwhelmed. Give family members advice not to ask a lot of questions or expect things like hugs if the child is not ready."
Sharing this guidance before a gathering can help relatives understand how to welcome the child without creating unnecessary pressure.
Create a sensory-friendly environment
From festive music and strong food smells to busy crowds and bright, blinking lights, the sights, sounds, and smells of the holidays can sometimes be a lot for an autistic child to take in. Prior to attending a gathering, plan out a quiet space that your child can access if needed. It is important that your child knows how to access this area and that it is equipped with comfort items, such as a favorite toy, comfortable seating, or noise-canceling headphones. Preferred calming activities such as a calm-down bottle, bubble wrap popping, or yoga with visual aids may be beneficial.
Photo courtesy of Any Lane
Recommended resources
➢ For a quick guide for the holidays, click here: https://www.delawareautismnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Holiday-Resource-Guide-For-Families-DNEA-Final-.pdf
➢ Take care of yourself while you’re taking care of everyone else this holiday season. For 10 quick and simple self-care tips, click here: https://azaunited.org/10-self-care-tips-for-autism-parents/
➢ For more tips on navigating autism during the holidays, click here: https://wholeschoolpsych.com/autism-and-the-holidays/
➢ Are your relatives asking what to give your child as a holiday present? For Autism Parenting Magazine's gift ideas for young children and those 8 and older, click here: https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/holiday-gift-giving-guide/
About the author
Stephanie Shuttleworth is the office coordinator at Child Inspired, a pediatric therapy practice in southern Delaware specializing in speech, feeding, and occupational therapy, as well as mental health services and family education. In this capacity, she opted to create and manage the survey mentioned in this article and then was asked to share the information with the readership of Autism Delaware’s e-newsletter. For more information about Child Inspired Therapy, click here.
Stephanie brings nearly 31 years of experience as a special-education teacher to her work supporting children and families at Child Inspired. Throughout her teaching career, she worked with children of various ages and with a wide range of disabilities, gaining a deep understanding of the unique strengths, needs, and perspectives of each child. Stephanie spent 12 years of her career at the John S. Charlton School in the Caesar Rodney School District before finishing her teaching career at H.O. Brittingham Elementary School in the Cape Henlopen School District. In 2015, she was honored as the Cape Henlopen School District Teacher of the Year.
Stephanie is passionate about helping children feel understood, supported, and empowered to succeed. Her years in the classroom continue to influence her work at Child Inspired, where she enjoys supporting her team and sharing her passion for helping children and families.