Autism Information-Holidays at Our House: Ask Deb About Autism Share
Some of the blogs we write are about autism information. More in a general nature. This blog will be more personal, as the title reads Holidays at Our House. This year, Christmas was incredible! Probably the best year we’ve ever had. Autism didn’t hold us hostage this year. The holidays finally won!
Our oldest son, Chase has high functioning autism. He is 13. Every year he became overwhelmed by the excitement of Christmas, as most children do. As soon as Halloween was upon us, our Chase went over the edge. Candy, lots of energy, parties at school! By the time Thanksgiving got here, he had “smashed up” a few times.
He tried so hard to behave during Thanksgiving dinner. We would insist that he sit with us (and our entire family) and eat our holiday dinner. I don’t know who that was more difficult on: Chase or us. He had sensory issues about the food. The turkey smells made him nauseated. All of the talking gave him a headache. And having him out of his routine? Well, it almost made him come out of his skin.
Then, it was Christmas. I don’t know whether I looked forward to or dreaded it the most. It was like a volcano getting ready to explode on Christmas Eve. We knew, if we could get through ONE MORE HOLIDAY, we would all live to see another year.
Now, our boy is older and we are wiser.
We no longer insist that he sit with us at Thanksgiving dinner (although, it is nice when he does). This year, he actually tried a bite of TURKEY! And decided that it wasn’t bad. We make macaroni and cheese a staple at all of our holiday dinners. Hot dogs too. No pressure to be in the “clean plate club”. And everyone smiles.
Christmas, as I said, was incredible. Christmas morning, we woke up to a quiet morning. Just the four of us. Chase, his younger brother Dylan, my husband Trey, the dog & me. No place to rush off to. No big meals to spend all day preparing. Calm. Not that we don’t love our family and friends. We do! But, having a calm Christmas for Chase is more important. For all of us. He seemed much more calm and relaxed all through the holidays! Halloween through Christmas.
Now, I’m not saying this is a “one size fits all” cure to anxiety for the holidays. I’m just passing along some personal autism information from a seasoned parent who wanted a Rockwell holiday dinner and found that serving macaroni and cheese was the way to go. Holidays at Our House will now always include macaroni and cheese!
Deb, whatever it takes to have peace in your home, it is worth it. It is amazing how well you do with the boys. I’m sure you have overcome many obstacles. May your family have many more macaroni and cheese holidays together!!!!!!
Thank you Sharon!
I can’t wait to have Mac & Cheese with my boys’ families when they are grown
Many blessings to you & your family,
Deb