3 Strategies for Reducing Anxiety Around the Holidays

The holiday season is around the corner, bringing special events, vacations, delicious food, and unique experiences that only happen once a year. However enjoyable this season is, it does alter the typical routines kids have when in school. For those on the Autism Spectrum or with other developmental disabilities, this disruption can be stressful and difficult to adapt to. Children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities rely on predictable daily structures for emotional regulation.

To help prepare your child for the festivities ahead and to help reduce their anxieties, here are a few of our favourite tips. These evidence-based strategies support children with special needs during seasonal transitions.

Please do keep in mind that these are general recommendations and that the strategies you end up using should be tailored to your child's needs and level of understanding. Individual assessment and customization ensure the most effective support approach.

Visual Aids Support Children with Communication Needs

Having visual aids are a perfect tool that resonate specifically with non-verbal individuals. Visual communication tools provide concrete information processing support for children with autism. Use of visual aids should begin as a first step roughly a week before you begin decorating. This timing allows children to mentally prepare before school activities start up.

• Wall calendar marking specific events like Christmas Break dates, arrival times of visiting relatives, and holiday activity schedules
• Advent calendars are excellent visual countdown tools to show the progression to events. They act as a form of positive reinforcement through daily engagement. If your child has dietary restrictions, there are alternative LEGO calendars available!
• Christmas artwork booklet that can be used for interactive holiday activities with Christmas themed stickers or for creative painting projects

Timing Strategies Help Children Understand Holiday Events

Waiting is hard for children with developmental disabilities. Our kids respond well to more concrete concepts like cause and effect relationships. Structured timing approaches reduce anticipation anxiety.

• Baking is a favourite holiday pastime that provides structured activity engagement. Try out some recipes with your child. This activity will keep them busy and engaged in a task that has a delicious positive reinforcement as an outcome.
• Keep presents hidden away until closer to the time your child will actually be opening them. This prevents overwhelming anticipation and maintains appropriate gift-giving timing.

Support Accommodations During Holiday Activities

When the holiday season is in full swing there are a number of things you can do to equip your child with the necessary supports and accommodations. These environmental modifications reduce sensory overload and behavioral challenges.

• Help them avoid the hallway hustle at school during peak traffic times. Let them arrive and leave the Christmas concert at different times than the rest of the students to reduce crowding stress.
• Provide them with sensory regulation tools including noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, fidget spinners or other sensory aids that support their individual needs.
• Help positively reinforce holiday activities with small gifts or preferred treats that motivate continued participation.

Overall, during the Christmas season you will want to try and keep your child's routine as predictable and consistent as possible. This approach supports emotional regulation and reduces anxiety triggers. This consistency could include sticking to their in-school wake-up time and maintaining their regular snacking schedule. As always, make sure you continue your communication with their teachers and school counsellors. It will be very beneficial to have them keep you informed ahead of time on what kinds of holiday activities will be happening at school. This advance notice helps you arrange the necessary accommodations for your child's successful participation.