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What are the challenges of Thanksgiving and autism?
Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated times of the year; it’s a day filled with gratitude, family gatherings, and the irresistible aroma of home-cooked meals. Yet, for families raising children on the autism spectrum, the same excitement that brings others joy can bring unexpected stress. The noise, crowds, new foods, and changes in routine can easily overwhelm children who experience sensory issues in autism.
Balancing tradition with comfort takes thoughtful planning. A sensory-friendly Thanksgiving allows families to embrace celebration while respecting each child’s unique needs. Understanding the connection between Thanksgiving and autism helps parents create a holiday that feels joyful, calm, and inclusive for everyone at the table.
In this guide by ABA Centers of Delaware, we will explore why Thanksgiving can be challenging for children with autism, how families can prepare in advance, and what practical sensory-friendly Thanksgiving strategies can make the day smoother.
Understanding the Sensory Issues Between Thanksgiving and Autism
For many children, holidays are a break from routine, but for children with autism, that break can feel more like a disruption. Autism often comes with strong preferences for structure, sensory predictability, and familiar surroundings. Thanksgiving disrupts nearly all those comforts at once.
The day’s schedule can change, new people arrive, and the environment transforms with decorations, music, and conversation. According to Frontiers in Psychiatry, nearly 90% of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience either heightened or diminished sensory responses.
These sensory issues in autism mean that people with autism may struggle to filter out the noise, lights, and smells around them. Even a well-intentioned hug or an unfamiliar food texture can trigger anxiety or sensory overload.
Thanksgiving combines multiple sensory and social experiences, making it one of the most stimulating days of the year. Here’s how these elements can affect a child with autism:
- Routine changes: Children thrive on predictability. A sudden shift in mealtimes, bedtime, or location can create discomfort and resistance.
- Sensory overload: The kitchen noises, overlapping conversations, or even the texture of specific clothing can overwhelm a child’s sensory system.
- Social expectations: Relatives often want greetings, hugs, or small talk. For a child who finds social communication difficult, these expectations can be stressful.
- Food challenges: Traditional Thanksgiving foods may have unfamiliar textures, tastes, or smells. Selective eating patterns are common, and being pressured to try new dishes can create tension.
These challenges don’t mean that children with autism can’t enjoy the holidays, but recognizing these realities is the first step in creating a sensory-friendly Thanksgiving that respects a child’s limits while keeping the celebration inclusive.
8 Strategies to Prepare for a Sensory-Friendly Thanksgiving
Preparation makes all the difference when balancing Thanksgiving and autism. A calm, well-structured plan helps children anticipate what’s coming and stay comfortable through the day.
Talk About Thanksgiving Early
Start preparing several days in advance. Show your child photos from past celebrations or create a visual schedule of what the day will look like. This support can include pictures of guests, mealtime, and activities. Visual tools help reduce uncertainty and build confidence.
Keep Familiar Routines
Maintain parts of your child’s regular schedule wherever possible, such as their usual breakfast, playtime, or bedtime routine. Even small doses of familiarity help maintain emotional balance when other aspects of the day change.
Choose Comfortable Clothing
If new outfits are part of the tradition, test them in advance. Many children with sensory issues in autism are sensitive to fabric textures or tags. Comfort always outweighs formality.
Plan for Transitions
Let your child know when activities will begin or end. Use gentle verbal cues or timers to provide predictability during shifts, like moving from playtime to dinner or from dinner to dessert.
Prepare Relatives and Guests
Share helpful information with family members. Let them know your child may prefer high-fives to hugs, or that they might need short breaks during the meal. When others understand, interactions become easier and more positive.
Manage the Sensory Setting
Thanksgiving brings a lot of stimulation, bright lights, busy kitchens, music, and chatter. Try soft lighting and limit background noise. Lower the TV volume or turn off devices when everyone sits down to eat. A calmer environment helps children stay engaged and relaxed.
Provide a Quiet Zone
Designate a peaceful corner or separate room as a retreat. Bring items that comfort your child: noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, a weighted blanket, or favorite books. Let them know this is a safe place to rest whenever they feel overwhelmed.
Offer Familiar Foods
Include your child’s favorite meals alongside traditional dishes. Familiar flavors provide comfort and reassurance when faced with an otherwise unfamiliar table.
Helping Children with Autism Engage at Thanksgiving
Inclusion doesn’t have to mean your child takes part in every activity. It’s about making sure they can enjoy the holiday in ways that fit their abilities and interests.
Invite Simple Involvement
Children often feel empowered when they contribute. They can help stir ingredients, fold napkins, place name cards, or serve bread. These tasks offer structure and pride while reducing social pressure.
Practice Gratitude Together
For children who struggle with verbal expression, gratitude can take other forms, such as crafts or drawing a “thankful” picture, naming one favorite moment, or helping prepare a dish.
Allow Time to Recharge
If your child retreats to their quiet zone, respect that choice. After a short break, they may feel ready to rejoin family activities. Self-regulation is a vital skill, and honoring it helps build trust and independence.
Turning Thanksgiving into a Learning Opportunity
Thanksgiving is more than a celebration; it’s an opportunity for growth. The day can teach patience, social interaction, and communication skills when handled with empathy.
Use the experience to practice greetings, transitions, and emotional regulation in real-life settings. Celebrate every small victory, whether it’s trying a new food, staying at the table for ten minutes, or greeting a relative. These achievements build resilience and pride.
And remember, the goal isn’t perfection; it’s participation! Each successful moment strengthens a child’s comfort with change, preparing them for future holidays and social gatherings.
How ABA Centers of Delaware Supports Families Beyond the Holidays
At ABA Centers of Delaware, we recognize that every family’s journey with autism is unique. Holidays like Thanksgiving highlight the joy and the complexity of raising a child with ASD, and our mission is to make that journey easier through expert autism care and community support.
We provide personalized ABA therapy and early intervention programs tailored to each child’s developmental goals, preferences, and abilities. Our therapy sessions take place in homes, schools, and at our modern centers across Delaware, ensuring convenience and consistency for families.
If you’re searching for compassionate autism care or strategies to support your child during the holidays, contact ABA Centers of Delaware today at (844) 855-8517 or schedule a free consultation online. Together, we can create celebrations that honor tradition and individuality.
