Navigating the holidays with an autistic child

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And we're back and so -- you with us there was.

Some some news out several months ago that we reported on that show that autism affects one in 88 children.

In this country and that was a number that shocked a lot of people.

Much higher than than what sort of was -- to a lot of people thought as far as how how common.

-- so autism.

It is and so with the holidays coming up we thought we would talk about some of the ways that you could help navigate the holidays if you have a child.

Or a loved one falls on the autism spectrum the solution tips from my autism team dot com this is a social network.

That is geared towards helping.

Families.

With it with the children who have autism and -- res co-founder of my -- to some team.

You -- find her on Twitter at Mary C ray and you can find my -- team on Twitter.

As well just like that at my -- team Mary welcome it's nice to see you thanks -- thanks very much for coming on.

To tell you real quickly at my autism -- how long have you guys been around them what kind of services that you provide.

We -- smiles and team June 2011.

And we -- with thirty parents on the site now we have over 33000.

Parents and time.

And last in the -- yes it's an amazing so when they joy when -- we're a family joins my autism to what are they what are they doing it's very much like face that can be can imagine parents whose main I want to share everything on pace that they -- my -- -- -- dot com.

And they get tips and advice from other parents have actually been in their issues we also have a place for parents to share the team of providers that help their child.

Can be occupational therapist and maybe there -- whomever they feel -- most viable and it helped the progress of their child.

We've seen with the the popularity of social networks how much people like to go on and find.

While others who have similar interest they like to read the same books -- they like the same kind of music or whatever when you're dealing with things like autism.

It is it can be so helpful.

Really such a great resource.

For a family that may have child with a new diagnosis to be able to reach out.

And talk to people who as you said they've been in their shoes they know exactly what you're dealing.

Yeah a lot of parents come to this site and are surprised that they are not alone -- the -- -- common feedback we get.

To get perspective from other parents and also some validation that you know life.

I am having trouble building -- this I ET with the teachers are there is bullying that's really taking place in taking hold of my child.

What kind down.

What's -- -- it's an individual education plan for kids zed Damon has special needs and usually they worked with the teachers at the school.

To make sure that the child gets there education -- a -- Understood okay so we we sort of sees this as a segment about navigating the holidays why are.

The holidays especially difficult for children when it with autism.

Well the holidays are fun because you get to that a Christmas tree there all kinds -- new things going on -- to break preteen.

But for some kids with autism parents -- last breaking -- exactly what can create unexpected behavior and so this is why a nagging holidays can be a little tricky OK so let's go through a couple tips.

That you recommend for parents.

Ways to successfully navigate the holidays and we'll go through them here but first what is practice what do you mean practice actually practice celebrating the holidays.

Yes this if you feel like you're gonna take part in certain holiday activities go ahead and -- practice -- with your child okay you know while we're gonna practice exchanging guest today.

We're going to practice meeting Santa or even we're gonna practice eating in the -- -- that's usually reserved for special occasions this allows the child again much more familiar with what's going on.

Make utilities.

Great keep it small.

Which is sometimes tough.

At Christmas time -- For the holidays when parents tend to overdo it -- absolutely -- keep it small meaning.

Try to stay away from large crowds and then always easy to use and if you have to get to speak plainly gathering our go to the mall or what have you.

Save a little bit of time to take your child away from the hustle on muscles they can be claimed some comments before going back into -- the fun.

Comfortable surroundings.

And this this is going to be a little bit of a challenge because I guess a lot of families would travel.

For the holidays and and take a child out of what may be his -- comfortable surroundings -- great while and this case.

This is another way that you can look at the surroundings and try to find an area that's much more subdued in terms of decorations.

-- meeting with the music might be a little -- come -- more quiet area and kids sometimes on the spectrum -- sensory -- around the holidays in the -- can make -- feel much -- with the environment the better.

I think it's not on the Specter -- not on the spectrum can have sensory overload you walk walk down Fifth Avenue here.

In Manhattan OK so keep it simple is something that you also suggested and I guess that falls along with some things we.

Talk a little -- -- and buy and keep it simple parents have told us avoid that over scheduling I know a lot of us like to get a lot of things done during the holidays but if you can.

Try to time boxer events and in fact tell your child that okay we're -- -- -- on Katie is for all of one hour.

But -- I'm all for two hours he can manage their expectations and really minimizes the anxiety.

That makes a big difference for kids on the spectrum to know.

Sort of how long they're going to be Arizona's children -- her son told enough for all that her -- okay and then finally create a food plan.

Now why would -- -- have to do with autism in the holiday.

Again we -- -- and every -- and how we like to be familiar I mean my feeling you're good to practice in the morning you know -- If you're going to someone else has come go ahead and -- a snack give your commission give permission to yourself to do that happened meal for your child is familiar to him that he will be willing.

And then later has known the identity theft and making -- where -- considered not okay -- -- anybody not offending anybody that's right.

Excellent excellent ideas my -- team dot com is.

The website for people who -- who are a part of this community it's it's much larger community that I think a lot of people realize.

-- for parents -- the families affected by autism in this country is now one point five million in our side is specifically for parents kids with autism.

-- -- -- -- -- Dot com Mary -- the co-founder.

The finder again on Twitter at Mary C ready and on Twitter at my relatives and team.

Good to meet you happy holidays to you and -- -- -- thank you and it's a good one.

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Navigating the holidays with an autistic child

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