Avoiding Meltdowns During the Holidays

The holidays bring with it joy and excitement, but for some special needs children it can be a little much. The crowds, noise, unfamiliar faces, and lights can make the child over-stimulated and cause a meltdown. Here are some tips to help avoid meltdowns during the holidays:

1.     Try to maintain your normal schedule – The more you stick to your schedule the more the child will feel safe. If you are traveling or have guests over, try to maintain your normal routines for eating, naps, and bedtime.

 

2.     Prepare- Before going on a trip or to an important event, prepare your child.

·        Read social stories, so the child will know what is expected

·        Look at pictures

·        Create a holiday calendar with special events, so child is aware of what is coming next

·        Watch videos or shows about what you are going to do

 

3.     Let them assist with changes- One big change during the holidays is the new decorations and parties. Allow your child to help with decorating. Also, make a craft or a food for events, so they feel like they are contributing to the change.

 

4.     Avoid large crowds if possible- Large crowds can be noisy with a lot of movement. To avoid large crowds, we go to events as early as possible to help us avoid long lines. Look into events in your town to see if there are smaller/ private activities for special needs children. Our town has a “Photos with Santa” event for special needs children, so they can see Santa in a small private setting.

 

5.     Respect child’s needs and know their limitations- if your child is starting to feel overwhelmed or over-stimulated, let them know that feeling is okay. They can tell you, and you will remove them from the environment. If your child is unable to communicate with you, know their signals and limitations.  

 

6.     Have a therapy backpack- Sometimes your child doesn’t need to be removed from the over-stimulating environment; sometimes they just need tools to help calm their anxious heart. In our bag, we have sour items, crunch items, chewy sticks, critter vibes, weighted animal, and compression vest.

 

7.     Inform guests or host ahead of time- Before an event talk to your guests or the host about your child’s limitations. Let them know if your child doesn’t like to be touched or needs the music at a lower volume level. This will help everyone enjoy the event.

 

8.     Dress your child comfortably- If your child struggles with tags or lace, avoid these items. Dress your child so they feel comfortable. You might want to put a compression shirt under their clothing to help give them deep pressure and lower their stress.

 

The holiday season does not have to be stressful and with chaotic meltdowns. With careful planning and watching your child’s signals, everyone can have fun during this holiday.