December 6th -Presents
Consider teaching kids using social
stories how to respond when someone gives them a present.
Many Autistic children don’t like
surprises, so it could be
best to tell your child what their gifts are, or you could put a catalogue
picture/ photo on each present as a
label.
Clear paper
is also a possible option.
Large amounts of presents can
overwhelm, so
consider
limiting how
many are opened at once and
spread
it out over a few hours/ days.
Sounds obvious but remember the
batteries.
Maybe wrap
them with the presents or better still remove the toy from all the packaging
before wrapping them and have the batteries in ready.
Wrap presents so that they are easy
to open with not much tape to avoid tactile sensitivity difficulties
and reduce frustration.
Consider the paper as some paper is
really noisy, possibly let your child choose his own paper
and even wrap the presents together if necessary.
As
busy as things get its worth trying to make sure you have some time with
all your kids, as all the family adjustments can be tricky for siblings to
accept. It could just be walking the dog but that 10 minutes out of the house
can be really helpful for you and them.
Assign
special roles/ jobs to each child as this will help them keep focused and give
them structure.
Use
social stories to help your Autistic child understand about younger siblings
and Santa.
It can be hard for some kids to understand why younger children
still believe.
Take
turns to do
family activities
with your children instead of not going at all, or worse still forcing your
Autistic child to participate. If your child with Autism doesn't like Carol
singing but your other kids do, its not wrong for mum to take them and dad to
stay at home for example, that’s just the way it has to be, its an
adjustment….but it will make everyone a lot happier in the end as its your
Christmas too.
Use
timetables for all your kids so they don’t feel left out, it can help relieve
the stress and anxiety for any child, my daughter with Dyslexia loves to
see the plan on a calendar too, it helps
her as much as my Autistic son.
Take
up offers of help, sometimes if your other kids can go to nanna's for a
sleepover it can offer them some much needed respite.
Create
some special traditions for siblings only. It could be going for a hot
chocolate or making paper-chains. It doesn't need to be much but could help them
greatly. If it means your kiddo goes on
his iPad for longer than usual then so be it…it's Christmas.
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