Sunshine Society’s Post

🎄 Holidays can be magical—but for families with sensory-sensitive kids, they can also be overwhelming. Here’s one simple tip to make the season more sensory-friendly! ✨ Create a Quiet Zone: Designate a calm, quiet space in your home or at holiday gatherings. Fill it with comforting items like noise-canceling headphones, favorite toys, or a weighted blanket. This gives your child a safe place to retreat if things get too loud or overstimulating. 🌟 Remember, it’s okay to take breaks and adjust traditions to fit your family’s needs. The goal is to make the season joyful for everyone. Do you have a go-to sensory-friendly holiday tip? Share it in the comments—we’d love to hear it! #SensoryFriendly #AutismAwareness #HolidayTips

Preparation, understanding, and support! And throw in some grace for good measure. Trust your instincts. 💜 💥 Remember that every child is unique, and it's okay if your Thanksgiving celebration doesn't follow conventional traditions. Prioritize your child's well-being and enjoyment!! Here are a few tips to have a successful holiday with friends and family... 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Share the plans and schedule with your child beforehand, using visual aids or a social story to help them understand what to expect. 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆-𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗹𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Create a calm and comfortable space where your child can retreat if they become overwhelmed. Consider noise-cancelling headphones, a weighted blanket, or familiar toys to help them feel secure. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀: Inform your guests about your child's needs that will help everyone have a more enjoyable day. Encourage them to be patient and accommodating. 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: Stick to your child's typical schedules as much as possible, including meal times and bedtime routines. This consistency can help them feel more secure and reduce anxiety. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀: Schedule short breaks throughout the day to allow your child to recharge and decompress. This can be a quiet activity or a walk outside to provide a sensory break. 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀: Consider your child's food preferences and sensitivities. Offer alternative options that they enjoy to ensure they have something they're comfortable eating. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Involve your child in Thanksgiving preparations, such as setting the table, decorating, or helping with simple cooking tasks. This can provide a sense of engagement and accomplishment. 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀: Use visual supports like a visual schedule or a "first-then" board to help your child understand and follow the day's activities. #knowledgenowsolutions #telehealthaba #bcba #drbrittfarley

🎄 Holidays can be magical—but for families with sensory-sensitive kids, they can also be overwhelming. Here’s one simple tip to make the season more sensory-friendly! ✨ Create a Quiet Zone: Designate a calm, quiet space in your home or at holiday gatherings. Fill it with comforting items like noise-canceling headphones, favorite toys, or a weighted blanket. This gives your child a safe place to retreat if things get too loud or overstimulating. 🌟 Remember, it’s okay to take breaks and adjust traditions to fit your family’s needs. The goal is to make the season joyful for everyone. Do you have a go-to sensory-friendly holiday tip? Share it in the comments—we’d love to hear it! #SensoryFriendly #AutismAwareness #HolidayTips

4 Holiday Tips for Kids with Special Needs 🎄✨ 1️⃣ Stick to a Predictable Schedule: Holidays can bring excitement and unpredictability. Maintaining a routine and sharing the day’s plan in advance can help reduce anxiety. 2️⃣ Prepare for Sensory Overload: Festive lights, music, and crowds can be overwhelming. Equip your child with noise-canceling headphones or create a calming space to retreat to when needed. 3️⃣ Encourage Participation: Let your child join holiday activities in ways that make them comfortable, whether it’s decorating, baking, or creating handmade cards. 4️⃣ Communicate with Family: Share your child’s needs and preferences with family members to foster an inclusive and understanding environment. Together, let’s make this holiday season magical and inclusive for every child! 💕 #HolidaySupport #SpecialNeedsCare #InclusiveHolidays #AidingWithCareHealthServices

Tips for hosting inclusive holiday gatherings…

Loving this list of holiday party #DisabilityInclusion reminders from Disabled by Society. Two that I think don't get enough attention are... 1. Don't comment on eating habits. Some people experience eating disorders or have complicated relationships with food. They might be refraining from eating for religious or spiritual reasons. Or there may be body image issues. In short, just steer clear from talking about what someone does or does not eat. 2. Don't force participation. Please, just don't. Nobody like "mandatory fun" and your idea of fun and participation could be very different from someone else's. The person sitting quietly at the end of the table might be having a great time, they are just participating in a way that is comfortable for them. And this is a good reminder as we head towards Pink Shirt Day in February. Please don't make it mandatory that everyone wears a pink shirt. When we bully people into participating it kinda defeats the purpose! Inclusive celebrations are happier celebrations! #EquityDiversityInclusion #Disability #WorkplaceCulture Leda HR Annika Lofstrand Lindsay Bissett Jamie Millar-Dixon

As someone who most definitely does have strange eating habits because of limited choices of what I’ll eat I often don’t go to events because one look at the menu tells me I will have to pay lots of money to eat nothing! If I could change this about me I absolutely would because it frustrates me so much. It’s also upsetting when everyone around you either comments on it or pokes fun. Dietary requirements should also include sensory needs. Just a good little reminder on a few key points below.

Are You Planning A Festive Gathering? Inviting People Over To Rock Around The Christmas Tree? Or Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time? Here Are Some Tips To Make Your Holidays More Inclusive... Image Description: A Disabled by Society graphic. Set on an off-black/ purplish background a border of Christmas stockings, candy canes and holly dangle from the top. The title reads, “Tips To Make The Holidays More Inclusive…”. Below are 9 curved squares with a statement and clipart which read, Avoid Flickering Lights. Don’t Comment On Eating Habits. Offer Non-Alcoholic Alternatives. Consider Dietary Requirements. Not Everyone Is A Social Butterfly. Respect Sensory Sensitivities. Provide A Quiet Space. Choose Accessible Games. Don’t Force Participation. #TuesdayThoughts #DisabledBySociety #DisabilityIncluison #Holidays

It is so simple to offer an inclusive gathering. Here are some tips!