Autism Survival Kit for the Holidays Presented By: Maranda L. Porter, MSP The Matthew Reardon Center of Autism Inc. Saturday, December 13, 2014.

Autism Survival Kit for the Holidays

Presented By: Maranda L. Porter, MSPThe Matthew Reardon Center of Autism Inc.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Yikes! A break is coming! A break is coming! What can I do?

Do these questions enter your mind before a break?• Do you have issues attending social gatherings and taking your child with

autism OR having to leave your child behind with someone else?• How do you cook, shop, and prepare for the holidays and keep your kiddo

occupied too?• Do you have anxiety about unwanted behaviors occurring during the

holidays?• Do you have a plan or routine for your child during a long break?• How knowledgeable are your relatives regarding your child with autism?• If you are going away for the holidays, what do you bring along to assure

your child is successful?• Are you afraid to go out? Do you have a plan?• How do I get my typical children involved without them feeling they are

always being left out?

Winter Holidays

The very things that many 'neurotypical' people enjoy about the festive season and similar celebrations are the things that some people on the Autism Spectrum can find difficult.

Talk with Family and Friends

• Before the visit or holiday events occur:• Don’t assume anything, explain the details (holiday

survival plan) even to adults (could be done in letter form or via posting social network)

• Have photos/videos of past enjoyable holiday events or collect them this year for upcoming years

• Collect list of traditions and overview/practice with your child to relieve any potential fears/confusion

Fun Autism Holiday Links/Ideas

• Share a favorite ASD Awareness video, link, book, or other resource (share with family members ahead of time or experience together!)

• Some examples include:– "Different, Not Less" Rapper with Autism's Music

Video: W.A.D. We’re All Different See Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfZMXJDZlyU

– Neurotypical: http://www.pbs.org/pov/neurotypical/

Preparations

Visual Schedule

• Visual Schedule of Holiday Plans– go over this everyday

• Have photos of those people who you will be seeing during the holiday

• Visual Schedule APPS– http://www.autismpluggedin.com/category/

visual-schedules-apps

Visual Schedule

• Keep to the regular routines as much as possible• My Morning Routine At Home__ Get out of bed. Turn off alarm clock.__ Take off dirty clothes.__ Get dressed. I will need: clean undershirt, clean underwear, clean socks, pair of pants, clean T-shirt or long sleeve shirt and deodorant• Remember: First-Take off dirty clothes and Then get dressed. __Put dirty clothes in the laundry basket.__Go downstairs and wash up.

Visual Schedules• Don’t Forget Special Days and

Activities• Don’t forget parties, outings and

any other unusual days. • For those unexpected activities

which can occur at any time, it is helpful to have a “change” card (which can be put on the schedule to signal a different event or activity if you teach ahead of time)

• Schedule Changes are not as difficult if the person with ASD is prepared.

Visual Schedule

• IT’S TIME FOR: Don’t be afraid to draw it out on whiteboard or scratch paper, if you don’t have the visual pre-made or tech devise available. Pre-warning and Routines can often be helpful.

Visual Schedules

• FIRST-THEN BOARD AT HOME

First/Then APP:

http://www.goodkarmaapplications.com/first-then-visual-schedule.html

Visual Schedules

• Calendar Links and Icons• http://

www.iidc.indiana.edu/index.php?pageId=3613&mode=mod_resources&action=display_category&resource_cat=13&r=1363113203

– Example Calendar Ideas: Written and Picture Symbols

– Free printable icons for Holiday Calendar

Perspective

• Look at the Holidays from your Child’s Perspective• What aspects of the Holiday would your child

enjoy? • Incorporate interest and preferences into the

child’s daily schedule• Create a “Daily Activity”: something perhaps that

your other children/family members could either observe or do with (or alongside) your child with ASD.

Perspective

• Example choice board • For readers, you can write their choices and

allow them to write what they want to do.

Perspective

• Which Aspects of the holidays could “overload” your child with ASD?

• What aspects of your home will be “holiday zones”• Celebrations: Your home or are you traveling• Prioritize events and only do the most important• Give some “holiday free time” on the schedule• Tag team: one adult can leave the party/event with

child with ASD if they become overwhelmed; so siblings can stay if they feel they may miss out

Perspective

• Which Aspects of the holidays could “overload” your child with ASD? (continued)

• Be aware of sensitivities to sounds, smells, lights, decorations or other ‘holiday stimuli’– Bring earplugs or headphones to block noise

• In ‘holiday bag’ bring sensory tools: (fidgets: make holiday theme and share with others too)

• Bring child’s preferred foods. The holidays aren’t the time for food battles

Social Stories/Memos

• Decorations• Family Dinners• Gift Opening– Practice opening gifts and provide a social script

strategies:

Social Stories/Memos

• A Sample Social StoryPeople give me gifts at _____ to show me that they care about me and want me to feel happy.Sometimes I might receive a gift that I don’t likeSometimes I might receive gifts that are things I already have. If this does happen, I will try to say “thank-you” and smile and I will talk about it with my parents when the gift giver is not around.

Social Stories/Memos

• Holiday Social Stories and Resource Links– Communication/Social Skills:

http://www.speakingofspeech.com/Social_Skills_Pragmatics.html

– Holiday Social Stories and Visual Recipes: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Holiday-Social-Stories-and-Visual-Questions-for-Children-with-Autism-425112

• Holiday Survival Kit: 2014– http://projectautism.org/blog/2014/11/04/2014-

holiday-survival-tips/

Winter Holidays: Presents

• Use cellophane or gift bags to wrap gifts• Teach gift opening routines (open one gift

each night of the holiday) to avoid being overwhelmed or create other routines

• Warn relatives not to be disappointed at the child’s reaction

• Video ‘holiday routines’ and review before events

Staying Overnight/Travel

• Bring child’s own sheets, blankets, pillows (may assist with normalcy)

• Practice Sleepover, Skype to see the space/home if child unfamiliar or exchange pictures

• Transportation Considerations: Let’s chat!

Parents and Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself

• Remember if you feel stressed, your child likely feels double your stress

• Are your expectations reasonable?• Accept Help• Don’t forget adult time• Take Stock/Celebrate Successes Wherever You

Can• Connect with other parents/caregivers

Gift Ideas: ASD

• Share the following winter holiday gift ideas with friends/family

• Make ‘wish list’ of gift ideas for your child with ASD to share with others

• Web Links:– Toys ‘R’ Us-Toy Guide for differently abled kids See

Link:– http://www.toysrus.com/shop/index.jsp?

categoryId=3261680

ASD Friendly Gift Ideas:• Liquid Motion Bubbler• Sensory Balls & Fidgets• Swing• Tag less Clothing• Hop Ball• Silly putty/theraputty• Wikki Sticks• APP Cards• Fact Books• Tech Tools• A child’s ‘Favorite things’-of

course

• Gift Guides:• Autism and Sensory:

– http://family.thinkingoutsidethesandbox.ca/autism-sensory-holiday-gift-guide/

• ASD Gift Guides:– http://

fourplusanangel.com/2013/12/ashlyns-gift-guide/

• Autism Shop:– http://

www.autismshop.com/

Handling Holiday Meltdowns

• Causes:– Neurological overload– Control issues– Lack of competence– Too many changes– Too many RAPID changes– Not enough time to process changes– Noisy and Confusing environment– Anticipation and Anxiety

Handling Holiday Meltdowns

• Signs of Meltdowns– Pupils are wide and dilated– Increase heart rate – Increase anxiety– May look like a panic attack or temper tantrum – May last up to 20 minutes – May involve physical aggression, property

destruction and/or verbal outbursts

Handling Holiday Meltdowns

• Handling Meltdowns– Slow things down– Avoid using bribes and pay offs– Beware of your own response– Remain calm when child undergoes periods of

distress– Use a calm voice when providing warning and

after the meltdown is coming to an end– Do not offer many choices or ask many questions

Handling Holiday Meltdowns

• After the meltdown– Debrief yourself– Was the change or demand too much?– Was there too many questions?– Was the environment chaotic?– What helped your child?– What helped yourself?

Resources

• People with ASD, Family Members, Caregivers and People Dedicated to supporting ASD Awareness: Fact Sheets for Questions that Emerge

• Family members, friends and acquaintances can often pose a number of well meaning questions at the holiday season about the “Autism Spectrum”. Below are some helpful links you can pass on to others to help increase their awareness and conserve your energy.

• Center for Disease Control: English and Spanish/En Espanol ‘ASD Fact Sheet’ & ‘Autismo’– http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html