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Why Are the Holidays like Thanksgiving Challenging for Many on the Spectrum?
It’s that time of year again! The leaves started to change color, the air feels crisp, and families everywhere are getting ready for Thanksgiving Day. For many households navigating autism and Thanksgiving, this season can bring both joy and unique challenges.
Thanksgiving can be complicated for many people on the autism spectrum. The combination of large family gatherings, unfamiliar settings, new foods, and changes in routine can all create sensory overload. The pressure of small talk, social expectations, and travel can make the experience even more overwhelming.
For children with autism, these disruptions can lead to distress, especially when dealing with food selectivity or aversions. Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward creating an autism-friendly Thanksgiving. By preparing for potential triggers and including your child’s favorite safe foods, you can make this autism and Thanksgiving season much more enjoyable for everyone.
We get that getting ready for an autism-friendly Thanksgiving may feel overwhelming at first, but ensuring that everyone feels comfortable and included makes all the difference. With a bit of thoughtful planning and understanding, you can create a warm, welcoming, and sensory-friendly celebration that everyone will remember fondly.
This guide by ABA Centers of America to autism and Thanksgiving explores the common challenges children on the spectrum may face during the holidays and offers sensory-friendly tips to help your family enjoy a calm, joyful, and inclusive Thanksgiving experience.
Why Is It Important to Prepare for an Autism-Friendly Thanksgiving?
Planning ahead helps ensure a smoother, more sensory-friendly Thanksgiving. For children on the spectrum, unexpected changes can lead to anxiety or emotional dysregulation. One of the best ways to prepare your child for Thanksgiving is by explaining what to expect ahead of time.
Show them pictures of the people they’ll see, the foods they’ll taste, and the places you’ll visit. Discuss the day in detail, what activities will happen, what behavior you expect, and what fun traditions they can look forward to. By previewing the experience, you’ll help your child feel secure and confident throughout your autism and Thanksgiving celebration.
Steps for Creating a Stress-Free Autism-Friendly Thanksgiving
Here are some practical sensory-friendly tips for creating an autism-friendly Thanksgiving that everyone will love:
Check in with a Support System:
Reach out to friends and family who understand your situation. Thanksgiving is about connection, and with autism, community support makes all the difference. Let loved ones know how they can help make your autism-friendly Thanksgiving easier for everyone.
Seek Out Autism-Friendly Events or Make Your Own:
Look for autism-friendly Thanksgiving events in your area, or create one that meets your family’s needs. Hosting a familiar, sensory-friendly gathering can make the day more comfortable and inclusive for your child.
Recognize Sensory Overload Triggers:
Bright lights, loud noises, and crowded spaces can lead to sensory challenges. Try dimming lights, playing calming music, or taking short breaks in quiet spaces. These sensory-friendly tips can help reduce overwhelm and promote relaxation throughout your autism and Thanksgiving day.
Provide Structure and Familiar Activities:
Consistency is key. Keeping a predictable routine will help your child feel grounded. Bring along favorite toys, coloring books, or quiet games. Involving your child in Thanksgiving preparations like setting the table or helping with decorations can make them feel included and confident.
Understand and Respect Your Child’s Needs:
Every child experiences the holiday differently. By showing patience and empathy, you help ensure everyone enjoys a peaceful, autism-friendly Thanksgiving.
What About Food Aversions and Selectivity?
Food selectivity and aversions are typical for children with autism and can make autism and Thanksgiving mealtime tricky. But with patience and creativity, you can make the holiday meal more enjoyable and sensory-friendly for everyone.
Autism-Friendly Thanksgiving Food Aversion Tips:
- Offer Small Bites: Start with small portions of new foods. Trying a tiny slice of turkey may feel less intimidating than a whole serving.
- Pair Familiar and New Foods: Combine foods your child loves with new options. This pairing helps create positive associations and makes mealtime less stressful during your autism and Thanksgiving celebration.
- Use Gentle Rewards: Consider a simple reward system for trying new foods, like earning tokens toward a favorite activity. This encourages exploration while keeping things fun and supportive.
- Provide Gentle Exposure: Gradually introduce new or disliked foods before Thanksgiving Day. Let your child get used to seeing them at the table without pressure. This slow exposure helps reduce distress and promotes sensory-friendly tolerance.
- Stay Calm and Patient: It may take many attempts before your child tries something new. Keep mealtime positive — patience is key to a peaceful autism and Thanksgiving meal.
- Offer Options: Give your child choices to promote independence and comfort. Having two types of veggies or sides can make them feel empowered during your autism-friendly Thanksgiving dinner.
- Check for Medical Concerns: If your child continues to reject certain foods, consult a doctor, BCBA, or nutritionist to rule out medical or sensory-related issues.
Your Autism-Friendly Thanksgiving
Creating an autism-friendly Thanksgiving may take extra planning, but it’s well worth it. By approaching autism and Thanksgiving with patience, empathy, and awareness, you can build an inclusive celebration that everyone enjoys.
These sensory-friendly tips can help transform your Thanksgiving into a day of comfort, connection, and gratitude for the whole family. Remember — the goal isn’t perfection, but presence and joy.
ABA Centers of America and Autism-Friendly Thanksgiving
At ABA Centers of America, we’re proud to serve the autism community with compassion and expertise. Our goal is to help families and their neurodivergent loved ones navigate life’s challenges, including holidays like Thanksgiving, with confidence and calm.
With supportive therapy approaches like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), families can create meaningful memories together every year. If you’d like to learn more about how we can support your journey, call (844) 923-4222 for a free consultation with our team by clicking here.
Happy autism-friendly Thanksgiving from all of us at ABA Centers of America!
