Thanksgiving can be a joyful time filled with family, food, and gratitude—but it can also be full of unpredictability, sensory overload, and changes to routine. For families of children with autism, the holidays often require a little extra planning and flexibility. The tips below can help your family prepare for the day, reduce stress, and make space for connection, comfort, and calm.

1.  Rest before the event. Family celebrations take energy.  Make the time before the celebration as easy and relaxed as possible.
2. Develop priorities. What is most important? Is it eating turkey, sitting at the table, staying at the celebration, and not leaving early, or another family tradition? Focus on the most important things and let the other things go.
3. If the routine of the day is drastically different than usual, plan for that by incorporating preferred activities or familiarity into the day. Prepare your child by letting them know how the day will go.
4. Demands on holidays can be greater than usual. Asking for your child to greet family, be present for longer periods of time in a crowded room, adjust to the smells and sounds of the holiday, and interact with others are demands that you are placing on your child. Be cognizant of how much you are asking and decrease demands if needed.  
5. Have a backup plan of things to do at home if you need to leave early. Buy special snacks or have an activity ready. It helps the whole family continue to enjoy the holiday if the original plan is not successful.
6. If you are not celebrating at home, talk to your family ahead of time about a place to go if your child needs a break or the possibility of needing to leave early.  

Every family’s Thanksgiving looks a little different, and that’s okay. Whether your celebration is big or small, the goal isn’t perfection—it’s peace. A little preparation, a lot of grace, and a flexible plan can help your child (and you) enjoy the holiday in your own way. From all of us at Proud Moments, we wish you a warm, happy, and sensory-friendly Thanksgiving!