When it comes to the holidays, the focus is on family fun, connection, and quality time together. For many, Thanksgiving is a particularly popular time for a delicious meal and seeing extended family. However, for your loved ones with Autism Disorder Spectrum, these comforting traditions can be stressful. Your loved ones with ASD are a valued part of your family, and deserve to have attention paid to their experience.
When you take the time to take their experience into consideration, you can make the holidays a warm and fuzzy experience for everyone. In this article, we address common paint points for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and give you the tips you need to create a Sensory Friendly Thanksgiving.
What is Sensory Sensitivity in Autism?
It may be hard for a neurotypical person to understand exactly what a person on the spectrum is experiencing. People living with Autism Spectrum Disorder often experience the sensory world differently than neurotypical people. This can manifest through hypersensitivity, where sensory experiences are amplified (ambiance is too loud, smells are overbearing, food is too spicy). Some people experience hyposensitivity, where a persons sensory experience may feel dulled (wearing a coat indoors, speaking too loud).
When a person with sensory issues takes in too much sensory input, they may experience what is called Sensory Overload. Sensory Overload happens when the brain literally cannot process everything that it is taking in. This may cause the individual to feel anxious or behave irritably.
While these labels are helpful for describing common experiences, its important to remember that first and foremost, autistic people are individuals with preferences that are unique to their experiences. What makes an experience “sensory friendly” for your loved one is going to be unique to them. If you haven’t already, get curious about your loved one’s likes and dislikes. Notice where they struggle and where they thrive.
Communicating Expectations
People on the Autism Spectrum often struggle with changing routines. Whether your holiday includes travel, visiting family, or even just a disruption in the day-to-day, these changes can be demanding. For this reason, one of the best things you can do for your family member on the spectrum is prepare them before the day of the event.
Create a social story about your holiday plans and go over it with your loved one regularly. This will help them to feel familiar with your plans and internalize them.
If you will be seeing a lot of extended family that your loved one does not see regularly, print out photos of family members and introduce them to your child. Explain who they are and how they are related to your loved one.
If it helps your loved one feel more comfortable, do your best to maintain parts of your routine on the holiday. This can be more difficult if you’re travelling, but you can still bring familiar comfort items that help give your loved one a sense of normalcy. Items like a favorite small piece of furniture, bedding, or even certain toys
Creating a Welcoming Environment
Do your best to create a comfortable and welcoming environment for your loved one on the spectrum on Thanksgiving. If you are going to a relative’s for the holidays, communicate with them about your loved one’s needs and sensitivities.
In general, most parents of autistic individuals report that it is easier for their child to enjoy the holidays in their own home. Thanksgiving challenges like semi-familiar faces and strong smelling foods are easier to deal with in a familiar environment.
Wherever you celebrate, try to set aside a quiet place where your loved one on the spectrum can go if they need to regulate their emotions. This is a place where they can escape social interactions, uncomfortable smells, or overwhelming sound. Having a space set aside for your loved one gives them a plan for if they get overwhelmed, so they can avoid rash behavior. This also gives your loved one the option to break up their experience into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Do what you can to adjust sensory elements in the celebration environment. Simple things like dimming the lights, turning down music, and minimizing strong odors can do a lot to prevent your loved one with sensory issues from experiencing sensory overload. If you don’t want to make adjustments to the entire environment, offer your loved one tools to help them manage sensory inputs. This could include things like noise-cancelling headphones or weighted blankets.
Food
People with sensory issues may really struggle with food and have very selective eating habits. They may actively avoid new smells, textures, and flavors. While encouraging your child to try new things can broaden their horizons, understand that their sensitivities may be more intense than you realize.
One thing you can do to help ease anxiety around aversive or unfamiliar foods is to bring a food your child enjoys to dinner. That way, they know that they will get to enjoy something they like no matter what. Having a comfortable food around can increase the likelihood of your loved one trying and enjoying unfamiliar foods.
There’s a lot of pressure around food on Thanksgiving in particular. Remember to give your child options, and celebrate small wins. They don’t have to have big helpings of every new food. Sometimes just having them at the table at all, even if they’re enjoying their own special meal, is enough.
Social
People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may struggle with traditional social engagement. There may be certain expected behaviors like hugging, eye contact, or even small talk may be out of your loved one’s wheelhouse. Let loved ones know in advance that the way your loved one shows affection may look a little different, but that even a smile or simple greeting can make a world of difference.
You can encourage your child to participate in the holiday by giving them simple and achievable tasks. Try encouraging them to hand out napkins, set placemats, or to pass certain dishes. This can help encourage participation and connection.
If your child likes playing certain games, bring them along and encourage family members to play with them. Games help lift the pressure off of conversation for connection, and can help ground your child in an unfamiliar environment while keeping them engaged in the social event.
Encouraging Unique Perspectives
In this article, we provide tools for making your holiday more accessible. It is our philosophy that people of all abilities deserve to be considered in holiday preparations, and encouraged to participate. There may be some temptation to make your loved one on the spectrum adhere to neurotypical norms. While encouraging a person to stretch their horizon and get comfortable with new things is important, we encourage you to validate your loved ones sense of autonomy and uniqueness by meeting them where they are. This means that the way you and your family celebrate the holiday may be a little different – that’s okay! Don’t be ashamed to make your own holiday traditions for your family.
Remember, the way your loved one shows their gratitude is unique. Though they may not always have the words to say it, by being a compassionate, considerate caretaker, you make a ginormous difference in their lives. The way that your loved one moves through the world is completely unique. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year to embrace the love and wonder our loved ones on the spectrum bring into our lives.
About ABA-LLC
ABA-LLC is one of the largest suppliers of Behavior Support in the State of Kentucky. Since 2007, the agency has created innovative strategies to improve the lives of unique individuals. ABA-LLC works with around 190 contractors, each dedicated to building an inclusive culture that celebrates individuals of all abilities. No matter who you are, you can reach your goals at ABA-LLC.
ABA-LLC is set apart from its competitors by its uniquely person-centered approach. The agency strives to provide services from a place of deep love for the population they serve. Their work exemplifies the belief that every individual has a right to live a fulfilling and independent life integrated within their communities. There is no objective to change a person, but rather to give them the tools they need to succeed. B.F. Skinner summarizes this vision in his quote: “I’m not trying to change people. All I want is to change the world in which they live.” Learn more about us at https://aba-llc.com/