Holiday Help For Complex Learners
It might be hard to believe but the holiday season is almost here! For so many of us, this is a special time of year filled with family, celebrations, food, and traditions. But it can also be one of the most stressful times of year – especially for those who have communication and feeding difficulties. Tasks that neurotypical individuals feel overwhelmed by completing such as cleaning, cooking, sending invitations, and entertaining are even more anxiety-inducing for our Complex Learners.
Even traditions and gatherings that we look forward to can feel challenging for children with special needs. Gathering around a table to try new foods can be difficult for those with sensory aversions, or a conversation to catch up with family and friends can be anxiety-inducing for those with speech or social challenges. But with strategies and planning, there are ways you can help your Complex Learners feel engaged and at ease this holiday season, while also helping them further develop skills. We talked with Wolf’s SLP, Emily Gavitt, for tips and tricks you can try this holiday season!
Speech & Language
Articulation
Ask your child’s Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) if there are specific sounds they are targeting with your child in school. As you review the names of guests, places you’ll visit, or foods you’ll be enjoying, be sure to note if the sounds being worked on in school are embedded in the words. Practice at home and even share these findings with your child’s SLP to potentially be reinforced at school. This can help your child feel more prepared and confident.
WH Questions
Practice answering and formulating WH-questions (e.g., who, what, when, where) to help your child review the plan and expectations ahead of them. Practice inferencing skills (e.g., how, why) to help your child practice critical thinking skills to better understand what might be implied or suggested during conversations.
Vocabulary
In the weeks and days leading up to your holiday celebrations, take time to talk about different food, family members, textures of food, and even how things look. Review different parts of speech (synonyms, adjectives, etc.) with a fun holiday-themed MadLib.
Executive Functioning
Time management & Task Initiation
Create a visual schedule for your child that reviews the upcoming festivity or event. Be sure to include an estimate of the amount of time required for each activity. You can even have your child be the timekeeper!
Following Directions
If you’re looking to have your child get involved in helping out, be sure to provide them with the information they need to be successful. Don’t just assume that instructions like “Can you help clean up the living room?” or “Can you help Aunt Sally set the table?” will be understood. Create specific instructions to help your child complete these tasks from start to finish. You can also create a checklist of all tasks (set the table, clean up toys, get dressed, etc.) to help your child comprehend what still needs to be completed.
Social Skills
To help your child get ready for the social elements that come along with the holidays. Review the following:
- Practice responding to and initiating greetings and goodbyes
- Adjusting your body for appropriate personal space
- Appropriate topics for conversation depending on the relationship (e.g., grandparents, cousins)
- Play charades to review nonverbal communication (what different facial expressions and body posture could mean)
Feeding/Eating
Whether your Complex Learner is a picky eater, has sensory aversion to certain foods, or struggles with oral motor difficulties, try the following to help prepare your child for mealtime.
- Preview seating plan (e.g., what table will they be at, who will be there, etc.)
- Use familiar dishes and utensils from home
- Preview the menu and ask for child input
- Have your child partake in cooking and preparing the meal
- Have your child make a pretend menu for Thanksgiving
- Practice using utensils to eat and prepare foods
Holidays don’t have to result in meltdowns for Complex Learners and with a plan in place you can make the season merry for you and your child! Want to get notified when there’s a new World of Complex Learners blog post?