Autumn and the holiday season brings its joys – and potential challenges – for people with autism. Costumes, candy, disrupted routines, travel, house guests, and new foods and experiences abounding, it can be completely overwhelming. Tips, tricks, recipes, and activities are plentiful online; here is a list of resources from around the web that can help you plan for the festivities.
Holiday Social Stories
High Holiday visual supports from Gateways to Jewish education
Halloween Teaching Story from Autism Speaks
Trick or Treating Social Story from Communication Station
Thanksgiving Social Story from Positively Autism
Hanukkah Social Story from JTeach.org
Free Online Recipes & Candy Guide
Specific Carbohydrate Diet: Pecanbread & SCD Recipe
Gluten/Casein/Soy Free – Nourishing Meals
Coping Strategies
Autism-Friendly Navigation of the Holiday Season – Free webinar presented by Amanda Tami, LPC, BCBA
Psychology Today: Autism and the Holidays: 10 Tips on How to Prepare
Safety
Keep Kids with Autism Safe from Wandering: Tips from the AAP
Treatment of Elopement: Safety Tips and Considerations in Programming – Free webinar presented by Mindy Scheithauer, PhD, BCBA-D
Travel
Prep for Annual Physicals / Cold & Flu Season
Blood draws – video social story
Positioning for comfort and medical play – for easing anxiety during medical procedures
Compassionate medical care (video) – Temple Grandin, PhD
Preparing for the Cold and Flu Season the Johnson Center
Eating Well for Immune Health the Johnson Center
Resources for Family & Friends
Did We Miss Something?
Did We Miss Something?
The Benefits and Challenges of Using Social Media: Reducing Risks through Joint Problem-Solving and Digital Literacy
Xinru Page, Ph. D., discusses the benefits and challenges of using social media for autistic young adults. She cites recent survey studies involving autistic people, support networks, and field sites and highlights
The Science of Making Friends for Autistic Youth: Lessons from the UCLA PEERS Program
Dr. Elizabeth Laugeson discusses the importance of friendships during development and the prevalence of peer rejection and neglect across populations. She introduces The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®),
Autistic adults show enhanced generosity toward strangers
Adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) tend to be more generous to strangers than their neurotypical peers are, according to new research. In the study, Paul Forbes and colleagues explored
Parents and Caregivers: The Importance of Self-Care
“If you are an exhausted or overwhelmed caregiver, this presentation is for you.” Amanda Tami, LPC, BCBA, discusses the importance of self-care for adult caregivers supporting people with special needs, including autism. She
Autism Research: Nothing About Me Without Me
This is a joint presentation by the World Autism Organisation and ARI. Dr. Wenn Lawson discusses “nothing about us without us” and capacity building to enable the benefits of participatory
Peer Experiences and Behavioral Challenges
Learn about the connection between peer experiences and behavioral challenges some individuals with autism may confront during adolescence. Research studies mentioned during the presentation are available to