Preparing Families for Holiday Activities and Sensory Challenge

Preparing Families for Holiday Activities and Sensory Challenges

With dinners to plan, gifts to get, extended family functions, and steadfast traditions, the holidays can be stressful for anyone. For individuals with special sensory needs, the disruptions to routine and overwhelming social pressures are a lot to deal with. These sensory and social challenges can make the holidays particularly difficult for families with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities to navigate.

But, with a little bit of planning and preparation, you can help to make sure the holiday season is enjoyable for everyone!

Here are some of our favourite strategies for helping individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities avoid anxiety and stress during the holiday season:

• Visual aids are always incredibly helpful in creating a social story that you can share with your loved one leading up to the holidays.
  • Wall calendars are a handy visual scheduling tool. Use them to mark important dates like family events and outings.
  • Advent Calendars are fun for all kids and are definitely a great sensory-friendly activity. Lego calendars are a great alternative to chocolate!
• Think about some activities that your child will enjoy. During the holidays, activities like building gingerbread houses, making and decorating Christmas sugar cookies, and making homemade decorations are all super fun ways to keep the kiddos engaged.
• Have your child's favourite sensory aids easily accessible to help with managing their anxiety and stress during times that may be a bit overwhelming.
• Consider hosting the holidays in your own domain, where your child is familiar with the surroundings. This gives them access to their room if they need to get away from the action.
• Set up a sensory-friendly movie room and put on your favourite Christmas movie.

Sensory-Friendly Christmas Events Available in Edmonton

If you do have some down-time over the next few weeks, here are a few sensory-friendly holiday events you can enjoy in Edmonton:

• Telus World of Science Edmonton
  • The Polar Express (Sensory Friendly Screening)
  • Tuesday, December 24, 2019
• Candy Cane Lane
• Zoominescence in the Edmonton Valley Zoo

Our Christmas Business Hours and Holiday Schedule

The team at Entrust wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

• December 22^nd 9 am-12 pm
• December 24^th open from 9 am-12 pm
• December 25^th closed
• December 26^th 9 am-12 pm
• December 27^th and 30^th 9 am-5 pm
• December 31^st 9 am-12 pm
• January 1^st closed
• January 2^nd regular business hours resume