Holidays can be filled with pressure and expectation. No matter how or what you celebrate, at the end of the day, you just want your family to enjoy the holidays.

The thing is, holidays, with extra crowds, excitement, and decorations, are often sensory overload for a sensitive child. Plus, holidays might be traditional, but they’re anything but typical. When routine are relaxed and patterns are broken, children can struggle with what to expect and how to respond.

Every family approaches the holidays differently based on their priorities and their child’s unique skills and needs.

If you’ve found something that works for you, stick with it! Or share with us below.

If you’re still learning how to navigate the holiday with your picky eater, this article is for you.

Read on for real-life suggestions based on years of experience on how to navigate the holidays from parents of children who struggle to eat and are also on the autism spectrum.

Parents’ Best Tips for Surviving the Holidays with their Autistic Picky Eater

• “I don’t expect much eating on holidays so I figure as long he eats something, even if it’s just cheese and crackers or bread, I’m happy. We try to have a good breakfast and lunch at home before.”

• “Bring food from home!”

• “Arriving before any crowd or noise helps enormously. This way my child has time to acclimate to the environment and ease into the holiday chaos.”

• “I let her put ketchup on her turkey. On everything, actually”

• “I encourage my kids to look at their older cousins’ plates and pick something new that they are eating. I figure if nothing else, it has given them something to think about for the future.”

• “Bring the iPad. And don’t forget the charger!”

• “I try to feed him before we go if I know that we are going somewhere that will not have a single thing he would even look at. The good thing is that most people ask ahead of time, so there is at least one thing there that he could eat…even if he gets overwhelmed (smells) and can’t.”

• “I’ve learned we have to keep dinner at the normal time.”

• “You know how there is often a kids table? We have a ‘kid table’ just for my son. He feels a lot more comfortable on his own and that way he’s not so close to all the food and everyone eating.’

• “Preparation is so helpful for us. I tell him what to expect, where we’re going, who will be there, and what we’ll be eating. I describe the location in lots of details and emphasize the people he knows.”

• “No matter where we are celebrating the holiday, we find a little spot away from the activities where she can be alone when the crowd and commotion get overwhelming.”

• “We try to keep things as familiar as possible. Stick to routines, food, and places that you know.”

Recap

Holidays can be challenging for a picky eater on the autism spectrum. With some planning, adaptations, and maybe a shift in expectations, everyone can enjoy the holiday – without going home hungry.

Homework

Read these tips and use them to plan ahead. Before the holiday season is in full swing, begin to think about how you can make your child more comfortable.