Navigating Seasonal Changes

• Acknowledge emotions: Validate your student’s feelings, whether it's excitement, anxiety, or a mix of both. Use tools like our "Feelings Galore" discussion story (English | Español) to help them understand and express their emotions.

• Communicate openly: Encourage open communication by asking questions like, "What are you looking forward to?" or "What makes you feel nervous about the holidays?"

• Build social skills and maintain routines: Practice social skills like greeting people and taking turns. While flexibility is important, try to maintain as much of the child's daily routine as possible.

• Address sensory sensitivities:

• Sensory-friendly environments: Create calming spaces with low lighting and minimal noise.
• Noise-canceling headphones: Provide noise-canceling headphones to reduce auditory overload.
• Preferred items: Have preferred sensory items like fidget toys or weighted blankets readily available.
• Mindful breaks: Schedule short breaks in quiet, low-stimulation environments.

• Prepare for the unknown: Simulate holiday travel experiences, like visiting a hotel or a friend's house, to help students become more comfortable with unfamiliar environments. While you’re preparing, talk about ways to stay safe.

• Plan ahead for travel: For expert travel tips, make sure to check out our Autism Annex podcast episode “Traveling Different.” And last month’s STAR Newsletter is packed with travel-specific strategies and resources, too!

Embracing Celebration and Connection

• Use visual supports: Visual resources can help students understand many holiday-related expectations.

• This time schedule (English | Español) from Routine Essentials is fillable so you can customize schedule details to share.
• Our "Video Chat” sequence strip (English | Español) is a great tool for practicing virtual connection when visiting family or friends isn’t part of your holiday plans.

• Celebrate unique traditions: Plan activities that cater to diverse interests and abilities. With our Family Traditions Poster (English | Español), students can get creative to share their favorite family traditions—they can draw or paste in a picture of what they love, and then practice writing as they describe their family’s traditions!

• Provide choices: Offer choices to give individuals a sense of control and reduce anxiety. For example, let them choose which holiday activity they want to participate in or which food to try. Our Routine Essentials “Trying New Foods” choice wheel (English | Español) can help students decide how they’d like to experience new foods during the holidays.

• Share resources: Share STAR's free ⁠"Fun With Family" Home Supports visuals with caregivers to help support and encourage students as they engage in play and have fun with family during the holidays.