Holidays and long weekends offer your family a break from  the weekly stresses and allow you to take a step back from what is upsetting you in your day to day routines, It's also a great time to rest and recharge.
Holidays allow you to explore locally, plan bigger trips or simply attend barbecues and birthdays with friends.
You may choose to participate in workshops and activities that don’t have the pressures or the need to produce results like work or school.
Events are a great way to learn communication and social skills as well as have fun, however they can be stressful for some people.
In the lead up and during the holidays, The most common things we see are:
Anxiety around unfamiliar people, animals and houses or properties.
Issues with bands, overlapping conversations or social cues/jokes that are misunderstood. Â
Unsure about new foods, Smells, textures of couches or carpet & being too hot or cold.
Â
1)Â Â Â Â Â TELL THEM WHAT TO EXPECT.
Attending new places and meeting new people can be scary for alot of people.
Preparation can go a long way! Discuss the below:
• Who will be there
• Are there animals/pets
• How long you'll be there
Â
2)Â Â Â Â Â PACK SAFE FOODS
To ensure your day goes smoothly, have some spare "safe" snacks.
New foods, textures and smells can be overwhelming for people with SPD or ASD
Â
3)Â Â Â Â Â SHOW THEM A SAFE SPACE
Streamers, music, fireworks and crowd noise could be overwhelming and be surprising.
• Facing a chair away from the busy area
• A quiet lounge room
• A garden seat
Â
4)Â Â Â Â Â PACK COMFORTERS
Balloons, Bright lights and Candles/sparklers can affect those with Sensory Processing Disorder.
Â
You can prepare by packing things that will reduce the sensory overload.
• A hat & glasses
• A fidget toy or game
• Noise cancelling headphones
Â
5)Â Â Â Â Â ATTEND FOR A REALISTIC AMOUNT OF TIME
You will know how long is an acceptable time to attend an event.
It is ok to say "We'll be there for lunch and head home"
Goodluck and enjoy your weekends!
Comentários