It’s time for our resident holiday expert, Kate Schye, to share this year’s tips for the families we serve! We hope you enjoy these tips as much as Kate enjoyed personally testing and visiting each and every one!
All kidding aside, we know that this time of year presents unique challenges for many of our families. One of the hardest things about being a parent to a child with special needs is that it can feel isolating, especially around the holidays. Here are a few tips to try as you navigate the busy holiday season. We hope they help and allow you to enjoy a few precious moments with your loved ones.
1. Prepare Your Child
Talk to your child about what to expect from a specific holiday gathering or event. Do some “frontloading” by talking about the holiday activity plan and add them to a calendar together. well before the event arrives. Share who else might (or might not) be there and plan a strategy to use when needing a sensory break. Identify a quiet meet-up place ahead of time in case the event becomes unexpectedly “too much.”
2. Avoid Crowds
Crowds can be overwhelming for anyone who is sensitive to noise, lights, and lots of bodies. Avoid crowds when you can. Instead of parades and big town-wide Christmas light events, take a drive to see large-scale drive-through light displays. You can enjoy the wonders of the beautiful lights without the cold, noise, or crowds! Here are some local favorites:
- Aurora Festival of Lights at Phillips Park, November 28-December 28 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.
- Santa’s Rock n’ Lights Drive-Thru Light Show in Geneva, November 21-December 31
- Light of Christmas at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, November 20-January 4
- Willow Hill Lights in Northbrook, November 14-January 4
3. Downsize Activities
Choose smaller venues or visit on off-times. Instead of heading to the busy mall to wait in a long line to see Santa, attend a low key “sensory-friendly Santa” visit. Here are a few local sensory friendly events:
- The Holiday Express Special Needs Night at Blackberry Farm in Aurora, December 5, 5:00-8:00PM
- Visit Caring Santa at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, November 30 and December 7, 8:30-10:30 AM
- Illumination at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle Sensory Friendly Night, November 18, 4:30-8:00PM
- Lincoln Park Zoo Lights Sensory Friendly Night, November 25 4:30 – 9 PM
- Visit Sensory Santa at Fox Valley Mall in Aurora, December 7, 9:00-10:30AM
- Visit Santa at his Naperville Workshop on Special Needs Nights, December 3 and 4, 5:00-8:00PM
4. Prioritize Your Child’s Interests
Let your child lead a family event by choosing a favorite activity that the whole family can share. Maybe it’s an evening watching a holiday version of their favorite show, buying wrapping paper that features their special interest, or creating a particularly sensory-friendly experience in your house.
5. Be Gentle with Yourself and Your Child
It’s normal to feel frustrated when your child doesn’t seem to “get” the holidays or appreciate all you do to make the season special. It can be equally hard to endure the stares and comments of well-meaning family and friends who just don’t understand why your child isn’t appropriately happy and engaged. Get support when you need it.
Give yourself permission to break past traditions if they just are not worth the aggravation or disruption anymore. Be open to creating new traditions that you can share comfortably — and look forward to next year again.
6. Discuss Needs Ahead of Time
If your holiday plans include visits to others’ homes, contact your host ahead of time to help forecast your plans. For example, if you may need to limit the extent of your visit or make a hasty exit, letting your host know of this possibility can eliminate hurt feelings and questions if and when you cut your visit short. Bring screens or other entertainment to calm your child so you can have adult downtime yourself!
7. Hosting Someone with Special Needs
Show you care by reaching out to your guest or his or her family to ask how you can help make their visit fun and comfortable. Ask about dietary needs, comfort with your pets, making a quiet room available for downtime or simply what a parent might need. While this may be a slight inconvenience for you to accommodate these requests, it means the world to a family to know you are thinking about their child. You are showing empathy and kindness that will make their holiday celebration brighter!
—K.D.S. aka “Mrs Christmas”