The Cookie-Baking Tradition Baking Christmas cookies is a beloved holiday activity, but for kids with autism and sensory sensitivities, sticky dough, strong smells, and messy decorating can be overwhelming rather…
The Holiday Church Service Many families attend Christmas church services. For kids on the autism spectrum, churches present sensory and social challenges: crowds, music, unfamiliar rituals, and expectations to sit…
Back to Routine After Two Weeks Off After two weeks of winter break filled with holiday disruption, returning to school in January is a major transition. My daughter needs explicit…
The Email That Made Me Realize We Had a Problem My daughter was writing an email to her teacher about a missed assignment. She typed: “I’m sorry I didn’t turn…
Breaking the Sleep Schedule Many families let kids stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve. But for my daughter with autism, who thrives on consistent sleep schedules, staying up…
The Resolution Tradition New Year’s resolutions are abstract goal-setting exercises that many adults struggle with. For kids on the autism spectrum, understanding why January 1st means setting goals, and how…
Understanding Midnight “Why do we wait until midnight?” This seemingly simple question reveals how abstract the New Year’s Eve countdown is for kids on the autism spectrum. Midnight, time zones,…
The Loudest Night of the Year New Year’s Eve brings fireworks, noisemakers, shouting countdowns, and celebrations lasting past midnight. For my daughter with autism and auditory sensitivities, NYE is a…
When Everything Changes at Once Christmas morning is pure chaos in most homes—early wake-up, rushing to presents, excited yelling, wrapping paper everywhere, new toys to process. For my daughter with…
The Anticipation of Christmas Eve Christmas Eve brings its own set of challenges—late bedtime, excitement making sleep difficult, different routines, and the anticipation of the next day. For my daughter…