Whenever possible, consider additional planning for special events such as firework displays, birthday parties, football matches. Is there a quick exit route if the young person becomes stressed? Is there a special toy/ routine/ contact that can be used to calm the young person?
Birthday Parties and Family Gatherings
- Big, noisy parties can be too overstimulating. What seems to work best is to limit the number of children. Choose just a few close friends instead of the whole class.
- Consider what your child is comfortable wearing to a party, your child may wish to wear their favourite leggings and top.
- Find out what activities will take place at the birthday party your child has been invited to. If there's an activity planned that you know will be too hard for your child, speak with the parent of the child and ask whether there is an alternative.
- Create some structure if that will help your child. Preplan activities so that your child knows what to do with themselves. For example, play time/ activities, then food, then cake, your child can preplan what activity to do first and know the schedule.
- If your child has trouble with unfamiliar places and you have the opportunity to visit the place where the party will take place, it's a good idea to do so to increase your child's comfort level when it’s time for the actual party.
Shopping Trips
- Whenever possible, avoid taking your child on long shopping trips if you know they are unable to tolerate this activity.
- If you must take your child, pick a time when the shops are less hectic; shop in the evening, or choose a weekday in the holidays, when possible, to shop for clothing and shoes, instead of a weekend.
- Give your child some control and a sense of predictability. Young children can help you find groceries on the shelf, or match items to a picture list.
- Let your child push the shopping trolley for proprioceptive input (heavy muscle input) which might help to keep them calmer. Many larger supermarkets have junior-sized trolleys for smaller children. Also, pushing their own pushchair can help a toddler or pre-schooler get calming proprioceptive input.
- Consider having the child wear earplugs. Consider using a music player with headphones, allowing the child to listen to favourite songs/ music. This may help drown out environmental noises and help the child stay focused on an activity.
- Try to plan some time out between shopping, plan to take some time out at a park and allow your child to have some time on the playground equipment, or do smaller shops rather than trying to make your way around the whole of the supermarket.
Useful resources:
A Practical Approach at Home for Parents and Carers: Autism Spectrum Disorders Children with Disabilities Team Occupational Therapy Falkirk Council www.falkirk.gov.uk/cwd
Raising a Sensory Smart Child by Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske