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
Psychology Today: Autism and the Holidays: 10 Tips on How to Prepare
Autism Society of America’s Holiday Tips
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
Choosing a Toy for a Child with Autism
Did We Miss Something?
Did We Miss Something?
The Science of Making Friends for Autistic Youth: Lessons from the UCLA PEERS Program
Free webinar at 5 p.m. Eastern time (US), Wednesday August 28, 2024 Learn research updates on evidence-based strategies to support adolescents and young adults develop social skills that encourage lasting friendships.
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
Back-To-School Strategies for Autism
Playback in English: Playback in Spanish: Learn evidence-based strategies for supporting students with autism as they transition back to the classroom. This talk was presented
Autism Research: Nothing About Me Without Me
Dr. Wenn Lawson discusses “nothing about us without us” and capacity building to enable the benefits of participatory research co-production. He differentiates traditional, participatory, and co-production research methodologies and recounts his experiences in
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
Let’s recognize the heroes among us!
Last April, for autism awareness month, we encouraged individuals to share the heroes in their lives. The response was overwhelming! We received hundreds of photos from around the world. We loved reading