With the Holidays Season upon us, there are many opportunity for family gatherings. Most of which are held indoors, which can get loud, chaotic and overwhelming. It’s those type of environments that a child with sensory issues can become easily agitated. Last year, we choose to opt out of our family’s gathering due to the risk of meltdown and the extra amount of stress it might add. We have decided that this year, now that we are better equipped to handle his meltdowns and behavior challenges, we are going to attempt to attend the gatherings for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have decided that I need to pack my “Survival Kit” to take with me to help prevent/lessen the chance of a meltdown. As always, we will have an exit plan and know that if we have to leave early, that it is 100% okay. Even if one person gets bent out of shape, they will get over it!
My Family Gathering Survival Kit
1. Electronic Games- For us it’s the iPad. He has endless games, and movies on that thing and it is his safe haven when he doesn’t want to be social. Can’t forget the charger and an extension cord.
2. Portable Dvd Player and Favorite Dvd’s-In case there is lack of wifi signal and Netflix doesn’t work.
3. Favorite Tableware-Most kids like Monkey, are very particular about things. Sometimes they will refuse to eat or throw a fit, if it is not served on their favorite plate or in their favorite cup.
4. Sensory Goodies-Hand Fidgets, Chew Tubes, Spinning toys, etc.- When he gets starts to get anxious, these things will help distract him and relieve stress.
5. Favorite Toys/Activities-Familiar toys and activities will keep him busy if he doesn’t want to play with the other kids. Plus, they are familiar to him, which helps his anxiety levels. Plus, I know his toys are safe and he can’t eat them.
6. Favorite Foods & Drinks-Monkey is a picky eater. In hopes preventing a meltdown, I will just take one of his frozen pizza’s and his special drinks.
7. Baby Wipes-These are lifesaver. They clean up any mess!
8. Change of Clothes-For you and the kid…Enough said!
9. Weighted Blanket-To wrap him up with or lay over him, to help calm him down when he gets crazy hyper or anxious.
10. Noise Reduction Headphones- To cancel out any the overwhelming noise of everyone talking and laughing, kids playing, loud tv’s, etc.
A fan/reader suggested a a box of Kleenex’s in case of a good cry on the ride home. It made me giggle, because often times I leave feeling overwhelmed and in need of a good cry.
Twitter: BudgetEarth
says:
This is awesome! I used to be the one to get the ‘survival’ kid together for my nieces and nephews since they stayed with so often during the holiday!
Susan Bewley recently posted..Dyson DC24 Upright Vacuum Cleaner Review
For my great-niece one of her save haven’s is Disney movies. That girl is amazing! She has every single one of them memorized and for the longest time it was the only way we could get her to talk, through quotes. she has progressed so much since then, but to this day she still enjoys her Disney movies and when she is upset with a new situation or overwhelmed with the chaos, we can put a Disney movie in and she will spend the next couple of hours in her own world, dancing, acting out scenes and reciting lines. Give her some blankets and sheets as props and she will come up with some amazing costumes or scenery to go along with her movie. Watching her interact with the movies is enough to calm and quiet the rest of the family as well.
Mary recently posted..The Motivation to Exercise
Twitter: loveismayhem
says:
Great, great list! I bet we could have some of these things on hand in our own house for when my autistic cousin comes for the holidays too, it would definitely help my aunt {her caretaker} out a lot.
Monique recently posted..Baby Rock Is In The House Tonight
Twitter: rebelledoll1
says:
This is an excellent post. Survival kits for children with special needs are a necessity and sometimes it is best to be prepared. I know with Avery I have always had to have something to keep her occupied. She is hyper and sitting still is so hard for her and you are right. If you have to leave, it is 100% okay!
Bobbie recently posted..Able Planet Musicians’ Choice Headphones Giveaway
Twitter: bubbamacktales
says:
I love this list. I am going to make a bag of things for us for this year. I’m actually going to see if some sensory goodies will help me. I’m the one who deals with it the worst. I can’t be around groups for any amount of time before I start to feel like I’m crawling out of my skin.
Heather recently posted..Two Free Harlequin Novels
Great list! Any suggestions for annoying in-laws? hee hee
Motherhood on the Rocks recently posted..Oh happy day!
Twitter: crunchy_f
says:
My god daughter has Asperger’s and noise cancelling headphones are a must. We also bring my son’s favorite DS games when we go out to keep him occupied.
Ashley S recently posted..Christmas Crafts: Winter Glitter Lantern
What a helpful list! I definitely have these items around for my son as well. thanks for sharing
Twitter: DirtyFloorDiary
says:
I don’t have a survival kit but I would love to have a weighted blanket for myself!
I take that back, I do have a survival kit. I don’t have any children with special needs, but I do have a toddler, a preschooler, and a son with severe ADHD. I always have electronics and snacks on hand for long rides or trips to the mall. They are my only life savers.
Summer Davis recently posted..Glittery Bow Tee – A DIY Venture
Change of clothes ~ I had to laugh. We “try” to remember that, but it seems like every time someone cleans out the truck they take them out… and it is always the day before we need them!