No Holiday Cheer
Although some people really thrive on all the excitement of the holidays, others are not so filled with holiday cheer. The ups and downs of the season can be challenging for everyone, but particularly for individuals with autism. The holidays tend to be times of either feast or famine – either long periods of boredom while waiting for things to happen, or festivities filled with excessive people, noise, lights, and excitement, stretching the patience of people with sensory sensitivities. Being aware of seasonal strains helps us make holiday plans that will increase joy for all.
Let’s look at some of the stressful situations that arise during the holiday season.
FREE TIME. Major changes in daily routine and extended periods of unstructured free time can be difficult for people of all ages who are diagnosed with autism.
SENSORY INPUT. Some individuals with autism are not simply not able to process or tolerate the myriad of sensory input – holiday lights, seasonal sounds, the smell of new foods, tree decorations, pretty packages, and lots of people.
TEMPTATIONS. The holidays are filled with lots of new temptations, ranging from “no touch” holiday decorations to hidden secret gifts. People who have dietary restrictions are tempted with “off limits” foods. The flood of sugar causes physical and emotional strain.
EXPECTATIONS. Being around extended family can cause parents to feel more pressure for their youngster to be well-behaved, cute and/or smart, and generally perfect.
HOUSE GUESTS. House guests mean more activity and more conversations to be processed, and a person with autism might even have to give up the comfort and security of their bed for a night or two.
STRESS. Parents are often juggling work with holiday preparations. It can also be difficult for working parents to find childcare for youngsters with autism, especially for pre-teens and teens. Mix in financial challenges and maybe some strains in relationships with extended family, and you will find a situation filled with stress that can affect everyone in the household.
ROAD TRIPS. The long, seat-belted ride and the change in routine can cause agitation and discomfort. And, if one passenger in the car is grumpy, the mood is contagious. Road trips are just one more challenge our friends with autism and their families face during the holidays.
TIP OF THE DAY: The first step in helping smooth over some of these situations is awareness of the strain they cause for people with autism. It isn’t necessary to ban all celebrations, but rather to realize the effect of the festivities on your friend and to guide them through the holiday trials. Your efforts can turn most “bah, humbug!” responses into “joy to the world!”
Note to FAQautism.com listeners and readers: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com
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