Tips for the Christmas period
Blogger Pip Else - Paediatric OT
19th December 2016
Tips for the Christmas Period
We recently posted a link on our Facebook page to a course on ‘How to Manage Autism Calmly over the Christmas period’ by Yvonne Newbold- here’s the link if you would like more information
https://www.udemy.com/how-to-manage-autism-calmly-over-christmas/?couponCode=AC1500
The build up
Often the big changes of the Christmas period can have a negative effect on a child with Autism. The change in routine and structure at home and in school often mean they cannot plan and prepare.
Ideas to help with the build up
A visual timetable
Get help from school with planning and using visual timetables.
Have daily chats about Christmas and write on the calendar or visual timetable who is visiting and when. Make sure you prepare for all family visits and ensure the family understand how unexpected visits can have a detrimental effect on those with autism.
Decorations at Christmas can completely change the environment, and can be over stimulating for children with visual processing difficulties. Increase the amount of decorations gradually, or have the decorations in a room that your child with Autism does not access as much to reduce their exposure to these
Gift Ideas
Sensory based toys; these could include:
Create a fidget bag within their Christmas stocking, filling it with loads of tactile squashing and stretching toys. This will help focus their attention and reduce the impact of the other distractions going on around them. It might also be a good way of keeping them occupied while other people open their present.
Here is a list of possible suppliers for Sensory toys (This list is not exhaustive)
With it being cold outside having some indoor active/physical based games would be of benefit, things like a Jump-o-Leen, body sock or theraband.
If you would like any further information about ideas to help at Christmas, do not hesitate to send us a message on our website or on Facebook, we would be happy to help.
On behalf of everyone at Children’s Therapy Solutions we would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and we look forward to continuing our blogging into 2017
Thank you for all your support throughout 2016
Compression Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 19th October 2017 Compression We recently posted a link on our Facebook page regarding compression strategies; this link highlights that you can get compression through many different activities and not just a compression vest. Link:https://www.facebook.com/childrenstherapysolutions/posts/1580212458716300 Compression based activities can be calming for the body, it can give us…
Read MoreBack to School? Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 24th August 2017 Back to School? Are you ready? Are they ready? Readiness and preparation is the key to starting back to school, especially when transitioning into a new school or new class. Here are some things to think about when sending your child off to…
Read MoreFidget Gadgets Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 28th June 2017 Fidget Gadgets We recently posted a link on our Facebook page regarding sensory tools for Fidgety kids; this post was created by Wunder Mom- Home.Kids.Life and can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/childrenstherapysolutions/posts/1437475369656677 These ideas included: Pipe cleaners: These are easily accessible in…
Read MoreSensory Rooms in the Community Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 26th April 2017 We recently posted a link on our Facebook page explaining about the new sensory room in Shannon Airport. This is the first European Airport sensory room and should hopefully encourage other airports to create their own sensory environment. https://www.facebook.com/Shannon.Airport.Official/videos/1303271216429032/ Support…
Read MorePlanning for 2017: Setting Goals Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 17th January 2017 Planning for 2017: Setting Goals Happy New Year everyone!! New Year’s resolutions, maybe you could set a family goal or individual goal. It is so important to have goals and aspirations but make sure you grade these goals. How…
Read MoreTips for the Christmas period Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 19th December 2016 Tips for the Christmas Period We recently posted a link on our Facebook page to a course on ‘How to Manage Autism Calmly over the Christmas period’ by Yvonne Newbold- here’s the link if you would like more information https://www.udemy.com/how-to-manage-autism-calmly-over-christmas/?couponCode=AC1500 …
Read MoreSensory Integration & Our 3 Primary Senses Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 13th October 2016 Sensory Integration Our 3 Primary Senses Remember the thriving tree of sensory integration from our last blog? Well it’s back again to explain why our primary senses are so important. Cognition ♦ Development ♦ Sensory Integration…
Read MoreSensory Integration Therapy Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 2nd September 2016 Sensory Integration Therapy In order for children to develop and learn, they need to gain an understanding of the world around them. If we cannot register, organise, filter, integrate and store sensory information then the world around us can have a great effect on our…
Read MoreOutdoor Learning Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 16th August 2016 Encourage Outdoor Learning & Physical Activity We recently posted a link on our Facebook page which was published by the BBC. It related to the importance of outdoor learning. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/childrenstherapysolutions/posts/1122161881188029 Now it’s the summer holidays. It’s time to get out and play…
Read MoreGoing abroad this summer?? Blogger Pip Else – Paediatric OT 29th July 2016 Some tips to help when going abroad Sometimes going abroad can be scary for kids and parents because everything is new therefore, preparation is key. Ideas for in the airport Gatwick airport have a Lanyard system for those with hidden disabilities see the link:…
Read More