Thanksgiving is such a fun holiday! Family, friends, cozy sweaters and food? I mean does it get much better?
As fun as this holiday is, some parents of special needs parents find themeselves secluding both them and their families around this time of year. Not because they want to, not because they are ashamed of their families by any means. But because it’s just easier.
No explanations to family members you see once a year, no meltdowns when dinner looks different than it does at home and no overwhelm from the new faces and overstimulation that often comes with the holidays.
This used to my solution to everything too. I went to the grocery store by myself when my husband could be at home because Walmart ALWAYS ended in a meltdown. I tried to keep holidays and gatherings to as small as possible so I didn’t have to deal honestly…
But as my boys get older I realize that there are some things that EVERY child should get to enjoy! It just means some extra preparation for this mama. Here are 5 things I am trying this year to have a successful thanksgiving celebration.
1. Thanksgiving Center
Another themed center for my kiddos! This one is helping us learn about thanksgiving. Whether that be through play, painting or reading we are learning all things thanksgiving this week!
Some of the things included in this week’s center are thanksgiving paintings, fall sensory boxes, “thankful for” cards and diy placemats (thank you Hobby Lobby!)
2. Social Stories
I have found several thanksgiving themed visuals that help children understand thanksgiving a little better. Preparation is the key with our kiddos and these visuals are amazing!
Simply Special Ed on parents as teachers offers a great set of visuals that allow you to make a schedule for that day, a wonderful social story, and even some visual taste test cards! A wonderful resource for only $4! I always print off at home and laminate (because let’s face it, kids are rough).
Link for purchase below:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Thanksgiving-Day-Visuals-3469849
3. Make a schedule
There are a million different ways to make a visual schedule! The link above is a great resource for thanksgiving day! We have started just writing down our daily schedule at the start of everyday with Vincent. He loves this and it has become our daily routine.
There are several fancy, beautiful, schedules you can purchase. However, I paid $0 for this and it brings him exactly the same! Find what works for your child. Don’t jump straight to Amazon like I used to do with EVERYTHING. You have therapies to pay 🤷🏽♀️
4. Pretend Play Thanksgiving
So I actually got this idea from Toddler-Approved on Pinterest. What a GREAT idea, especially for those kids who need a little more preparation for big events than others.
We have been working on our placemats for thanksgiving for about a week to work on following directions and writing our names. We will use these for our pretend meal!
During our meal we will practice eating thanksgiving food and using good manners. We even got our ABA therapist on board! Never be afraid to get involved in therapy! It’s best for you to know what’s going on with your child.
5. Familiar Environment
Is thanksgiving going to be at your home? Or a family members? If it’s at your own home (this is what I would suggest if possible even though it makes you a host for the night..) then great! Just make sure their biggest comfort objects are ready to go! Do they use their swing or a tent when they get overwhelmed? Make sure that these things are available to them.
If you are unable to host thanksgiving this year are you able to see where they are hosting thanksgiving prior to attending? Is it local? Can you go in person? Will it be a trip (see my road trip with autism blog)? Can you zoom or FaceTime that family member a couple of times prior to attending so that your kiddo isn’t walking into a BRAND NEW environment?
Preparation is the key. What does your child struggle with? What are their strengths? Use both to your advantage this holiday season!
Supporting Autism Mamas 