For some families, the end of a typical year brings celebrations, gatherings, and beloved traditions. But, like many other things during 2020, the holiday season will be very different for many people this year.
Below, we’ve collected a set of resources that may help – you’ll find a social story to explain how holidays will be different this year, a range of coping strategies for caregivers and kids, and a reminder that flexibility with our expectations can be valuable in easing the challenges that holidays often bring.
• “Holidays In 2020” Social Story – Available in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Arabic, Burmese, and English (from ASERT in Pennsylvania):
https://paautism.org/resource/holidays-covid-social-story/
• Coping with Holiday Stress for Caregivers (from the Mayo Clinic):
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/stress/art-20047544
• Supporting Children and Teens During this Holiday Season (from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network):
https://www.nctsn.org/sites/default/files/resources/fact-sheet/supporting_children_and_teens_during_this_holiday_season.pdf
• Happy Unconventional Holidays to You and Yours (Lynn Vigo, MSW, LICSW):
https://theautismblog.seattlechildrens.org/happy-unconventional-holidays-to-you-and-yours/
We wish you a healthy new year!
