Autism Wrap Up

How do you plan to spend your New Years? Many families with an autistic child struggle to find a satisfactory plan. Waiting in line for a meal at restaurant may not be the best choice.

Parents know that crowds or even some sensory input (such as tags on clothing) bothers kids with autism. Other things (like wrapping up in a blanket) is calming.

Plan a special New Years celebration with your autistic child! You will need a favorite blanket, preferred snack foods, and a well-watched video. Plan to snuggle as you watch the video you may have seen (or heard) a hundred times. Perhaps you will need to bring your own blanket to the party if your child is possessive of his or prefers not to snuggle.

If movie watching is not a hit, try some other sensory activities: indoor swinging, small trampoline jumps, rocking horses. It is okay to sit back and watch your child enjoy the sensory diet that makes him happy. Just for this evening, don’t worry about the goals that you two work on throughout the year. Instead, think of all the accomplishments that have come this year. Think of the opportunities for growth and communication that will come next year.

Invite other family members to join in the celebration. Encourage them to bring their own comfort foods to the shindig. After all, New Years is a time to celebrate, be thankful, and look forward to the New Year. How can you better spend the evening that with your wonderful child?