Helping Your Special Needs Child During The Holidays

We all have this "Hallmark" vision of what the holidays should be like, but they rarely are like that for any family. The holidays can be a source of stress and anxiety for anyone, but if you have special needs those issues can be magnified...many are overwhelmed by the changes in routine, the crowds, the smells, the noise, the lights, etc. Here are some resources and helpful tips. Preparing yourself and planning ahead as well as preparing your child before a visit, party, or other event can make things go much smoother. Talk to your child about where you’re going, what you will do there, and who will be there. Providing this information will lessen any uncertainty your child feels and help to make the holidays more enjoyable for all.

Surviving Family Holidays with Asperger’s/ASD: Understanding Sensory Processing

How To Make The Holidays Fun For Kids With Sensory Issues

How To Help A Child's Anxiety and Stress During the Holidays

Ten Tips For Helping Kids With Anxiety During the Holidays

Single Parents Help Yourself and Your Child With Separation Anxiety During the Holidays

Special Needs and Special Occasions (excellent advice in this)

Thirteen Holiday Survival Tips (excellent, unique advice)

More great, unique tips for getting through the holidays

There are a couple of tips in here that aren't listed in any of the other above tips

DO'S AND DON'TS FOR SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

RESOURCES

Sample letter to send to family that will be visiting you