12 Tips for Helping People with Autism and Their Families Have a Happy Holiday:

1. Preparation is key. Use a calendar to mark the dates of holiday events, or create a social story.

2. Decorations may be disruptive. Revisit pictures from previous holidays that show decorations in the house and engage them in the process. Rules about decorations may be needed- Be direct, specific and consistent.

3. If a person has difficulty with change, gradually decorate the house. Develop a visual schedule or calendar that shows what will be done on each day.

4. If one begins to obsess about a particular item they want, be specific and direct about the number of times they can mention the item. Give them five chips in which one chip can be exchanged for five minutes of talking about the desired item.

5. Teach them how to leave a situation and/or how to access support when an event becomes overwhelming. Have a space set aside for the child as a safe/calm space. The individual should be taught ahead of time that they should go to their space when feeling overwhelmed.

6. If you are traveling for the holidays, make sure you have their favorite foods or items available. Also, prepare them via social stories or other communication systems for any unexpected delays in travel or to rehearse what will happen when boarding and flying.

7. Know how much noise and activity your loved one can tolerate.

8. Prepare a photo album in advance of the relatives and other guests who will be visiting during the holidays. Go through the photo album with him/her while talking briefly about each family member.

9. Practice opening gifts, taking turns and waiting for others, and giving gifts. Role play scenarios with your child in preparation for him/her getting a gift they do not want.

10. Prepare family members. Help them understand if the person with autism prefers to be hugged or not, needs calm discussions or provide other suggestions that will facilitate a smoother holiday season.

11. If the person with autism is on special diet, make sure there is food available that he/she can eat.

12. Above all, know your loved one with autism. Know when enough is enough. Know their level of anxiety and the amount of preparation it may take. Know their fears and those things that will make the season more enjoyable for them.

Don’t stress. Plan in advance. And most of all have a wonderful holiday season!

(tips from ASA website)