The holidays are definitely in sight. John Lewis, Sainsbury's, M&S have aired their Christmas advertising campaigns and I , too, am entering into the Christmas spirit (and no, I haven't touched a drop!)
Last week, I was invited to an Antrim-based support group for respite and chat with other ASD parents. The group had organised a lesson in shabby chic Christmas decorations using Milk Paint. However this was no ordinary decoration. Because the unpredictability of the festive season can cause added anxiety for people on the spectrum, we made a countdown to Christmas plaque. Check out www.xmasclock.com for the number of sleeps to the big day.
Last week, I was invited to an Antrim-based support group for respite and chat with other ASD parents. The group had organised a lesson in shabby chic Christmas decorations using Milk Paint. However this was no ordinary decoration. Because the unpredictability of the festive season can cause added anxiety for people on the spectrum, we made a countdown to Christmas plaque. Check out www.xmasclock.com for the number of sleeps to the big day.
We also took a rare whole family visit to Titanic Belfast for the launch of their Magical Christmas Experience and to have our first experience of Santa for 2016 at a special "quiet" session..
Christmas for people with ASD can be a little different:
http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2016/11/22/news/leona-o-neill-making-christmas-magic-for-all-children-794050/
Decorations -
We try to keep the house as "normal" as possible by keeping the tree and presents in the dining-room. The rest of the house remains unchanged. When Houdini was younger he would try to take the decorations off the tree and didn't seem to understand why there was a tree in the house.
Shopping-
The hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping really is my idea of hell. Houdini has no awareness of danger and has a tendency to bolt and escape if opportunities arise. For this reason, it is not unusual for him to use a special buggy if I take him to a shopping centre as it helps me to manage him. Again, the sight of a tall 7 year old in a buggy can provoke stares so it is much easier to do the majority of shopping online.
He enjoys going out in the car but likes the car to keep moving. He does not cope well with traffic jams and will shout or kick out if the car is stationary for any length of time.
I realise that it is difficult to provide "quiet times" to shop when many businesses struggle to make money. However, I am always pleased to hear of shops like Toys RUs or soft play areas and cinemas who have tried to accommodate their customers with ASD/C.
The availability of trolleys which allow a disabled child to be seated would be useful in supermarkets as it is a tight squeeze to fit a 7 year old into the toddler seat. Shopping for us has to be done as quickly as possible.
Disabled toilets could be better to accommodate changing platforms for disabled adults and larger children who wear continence products.
Food -
A child with an extremely limited diet such Houdini won't eat a proper Christmas dinner and is offered a choice of some of the things he will eat. He refuses to try new foods so it is best that he sticks to what he knows. (Probably chicken nuggets, sausages or pizza!)
Rules-
Houdini will not be forced to adhere to sitting at the table and will potter about to his own agenda.
Visiting Friends and Family-
Autism can be quite isolating throughout the year. We tend to stay at home during most of the Christmas period. We avoid visiting friends or attending parties because Houdini wouldn't be familiar in someone else's home and his behaviour is unpredictable.
Presents-
It is difficult to know what a child with communication difficulties wants for Christmas. We try to advise family members on what to buy but often we don't know what Houdini wants due to his lack of communicative speech. He enjoys bubbles and will often demonstrate an interest in his brothers presents which means buying similar after Christmas.
Children can be also overwhelmed by the sheer volume of presents. In our house, we tend to stagger the opening of presents. Santa's gifts are investigated when the children wake. They open their maternal grandparents gifts at their house for dinner and other family presents much later in the evening. Close family know that opening a present may not get the reaction that they hope for. It is often a case of trial and error.
He enjoys using computers and educational apps on tablets. Because of his learning difficulties, he can also play with pre-school toys that may be viewed as being inappropriate to his age but not necessarily to his ability. His special interests include watching adverts for McDonalds and cleaning products on YouTube but I'm pretty sure that although he may want a bottle of detergent, we will have thought of an alternative by Christmas Eve! No matter what Santa brings, Houdini will enjoy playing in the empty boxes and piles of wrapping paper!
Christmas for people with ASD can be a little different:
http://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2016/11/22/news/leona-o-neill-making-christmas-magic-for-all-children-794050/
Decorations -
We try to keep the house as "normal" as possible by keeping the tree and presents in the dining-room. The rest of the house remains unchanged. When Houdini was younger he would try to take the decorations off the tree and didn't seem to understand why there was a tree in the house.
Shopping-
The hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping really is my idea of hell. Houdini has no awareness of danger and has a tendency to bolt and escape if opportunities arise. For this reason, it is not unusual for him to use a special buggy if I take him to a shopping centre as it helps me to manage him. Again, the sight of a tall 7 year old in a buggy can provoke stares so it is much easier to do the majority of shopping online.
He enjoys going out in the car but likes the car to keep moving. He does not cope well with traffic jams and will shout or kick out if the car is stationary for any length of time.
I realise that it is difficult to provide "quiet times" to shop when many businesses struggle to make money. However, I am always pleased to hear of shops like Toys RUs or soft play areas and cinemas who have tried to accommodate their customers with ASD/C.
The availability of trolleys which allow a disabled child to be seated would be useful in supermarkets as it is a tight squeeze to fit a 7 year old into the toddler seat. Shopping for us has to be done as quickly as possible.
Disabled toilets could be better to accommodate changing platforms for disabled adults and larger children who wear continence products.
Food -
A child with an extremely limited diet such Houdini won't eat a proper Christmas dinner and is offered a choice of some of the things he will eat. He refuses to try new foods so it is best that he sticks to what he knows. (Probably chicken nuggets, sausages or pizza!)
Rules-
Houdini will not be forced to adhere to sitting at the table and will potter about to his own agenda.
Visiting Friends and Family-
Autism can be quite isolating throughout the year. We tend to stay at home during most of the Christmas period. We avoid visiting friends or attending parties because Houdini wouldn't be familiar in someone else's home and his behaviour is unpredictable.
Presents-
It is difficult to know what a child with communication difficulties wants for Christmas. We try to advise family members on what to buy but often we don't know what Houdini wants due to his lack of communicative speech. He enjoys bubbles and will often demonstrate an interest in his brothers presents which means buying similar after Christmas.
Children can be also overwhelmed by the sheer volume of presents. In our house, we tend to stagger the opening of presents. Santa's gifts are investigated when the children wake. They open their maternal grandparents gifts at their house for dinner and other family presents much later in the evening. Close family know that opening a present may not get the reaction that they hope for. It is often a case of trial and error.
He enjoys using computers and educational apps on tablets. Because of his learning difficulties, he can also play with pre-school toys that may be viewed as being inappropriate to his age but not necessarily to his ability. His special interests include watching adverts for McDonalds and cleaning products on YouTube but I'm pretty sure that although he may want a bottle of detergent, we will have thought of an alternative by Christmas Eve! No matter what Santa brings, Houdini will enjoy playing in the empty boxes and piles of wrapping paper!