![](https://researchautism.org/wp-content/themes/ironstrap/dist/assets/images/OAR SUN-ai.png)
Teen Wins Award For A Coding Program
In 2020, Sreenidi Bala, a teenager from Farmington, Connecticut, started a passion project that would change the lives of hundreds of autistic students.
It’s holiday season, a time of thanks, joy, and quality time spent with loved ones. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or attending one as a guest, there is a lot of preparation involved, from picking out which outfit to wear to deciding what dish to make. For your loved one with autism, there are greater anxieties associated with overstimulation of sights (e.g. bright lights), sounds (e.g. caroling), and smells (“Why did Aunt Kathy bring that burnt casserole?”). Children who get overwhelmed may throw tantrums, melt down, or simply retire to a quiet space to get away from it all. Others may be more adaptive and join the festivities but fail to comprehend the true meaning of the holidays. This list of tips and resources can help you and your family focus on the joy rather than stress of holidays.
Whether traveling by plane or car, the act of sitting still for hours in a confined space with other people easily induces stress. That effect is magnified in loved ones with autism who resist unexpected changes and depend heavily on routine. A good way to ease travels is by preparing your child mentally and physically with tools, toys, and equipment.
Minimize the effect of holiday stressors by communicating what your child can expect and what you expect from them. An effective, evidence-based strategy is to use visual supports (e.g. calendars) and social stories.
If your child is hypersensitive to sounds, sights, and smells, do your best to minimize the environmental stimuli or provide accommodations.
Enjoy the holidays with those you cherish. Happy holidays from your friends at OAR!