A Sensory-Friendly 4th of July

The 4th of July, with all of its festive energy, is considered a fun and joyous time for many. For some, however, it’s an experience more likely to cause anxiety than excitement. For children with autism who struggle with sensory processing, the holiday can instead be an event that brings on big feelings. That doesn’t mean it has to be a disaster - with the proper planning and support, your family can still enjoy the 4th of July holiday in a way that feels safe, fun and comfortable for all. Follow these sensory-friendly tips for a more joyful Independence Day:

Noise Canceling Headphones

Fireworks are beautiful, but they are also loud and nearly impossible to escape. Even if you choose not to partake in that part of the festivities, you’ll have a difficult time finding a place completely free of the sounds of others participating. Everything about fireworks can contribute to sensory overload with their brightness, loudness and unpredictability. As exciting as they are to some, for many they are just too much, triggering major anxiety or distress. To help alleviate some of that, make sure to have quality noise-canceling headphones on hand to muffle the sounds, providing a more calming buffer through the night. If headphones are a new addition to your routine, consider buying them in advance so your child can test them out and get used to the new feeling ahead of time.

Use A Visual Schedule

As with all holidays, 4th of July celebrations can mean a break in typical routines - an unsettling event for many kids. If you have plans for the holiday, incorporate a simple visual schedule with pictures or icons to help your child prepare. When they know what to expect, they’ll feel more in control and therefore less anxious. This may include things like watching a parade, playing outside, eating holiday snacks or treats, fireworks (or an alternative activity) and built-in breaks.

Create A Calm-Down Kit

If you don’t already have a calm-down kit at the ready, the 4th of July is a great time to create one. This should include a few comfort items that you child can get to easily if they start to feel overstimulated or overwhelmed. Some ideas to include are fidget toys, sunglasses, a weighted blanket or lap pad, a favorite stuffed animal, the noise-canceling headphones previously mentioned, a favorite blanket, a bottle of water and snacks.

Do Things Your Own Way

The 4th of July is a celebration of freedom, so don’t forget you have the freedom to do things your own way. While others may have a traditional take on what celebrating the holiday means, you don’t have to follow the status quo if that isn’t what’s going to be best for your family. If fireworks or crowds are a no-go for your child’s peace of mind, consider creating your own special tradition. Some ideas may include:

• Watching a firework display on TV or online. You have control of the volume and can even play your own music instead.

• Depending on comfort level, create your own light show with glow sticks or sparklers

• Host a sensory-friendly backyard BBQ with people your child is familiar with. Make sure to include some sensory-friendly games and your child’s favorite snacks.

• Use books or apps to explain the holiday in a way your child connects with.

Celebrations should be fun, not stressful, and it’s up to you to decide what that looks like for your family!

Practice To Prepare

Role play is a large part of ABA therapy, and it works great for holiday preparation, too. As the 4th of July gets closer, start practicing things with your child so they are prepared and comfortable. This may look like practicing wearing their headphones, watching firework videos online, role-playing party interactions or creating social stories to prepare for sights, sounds and other experiences.

Follow Your Child’s Lead

The best laid plans often go awry - it’s just a fact of life. No one knows your child like you do - keep an eye on them and follow their lead without concern about what others around you might choose to do. It’s perfectly okay to pivot whether that meanings leaving early, changing plans or skipping out altogether. Focus only on what works for your child and family and the rest will fall into place!

Holidays and special events can be difficult to navigate, especially while you’re still figuring out what works best for your child’s needs. If you’re looking for help creating a personalized plan for both holidays and daily moments, we’re here to help! Contact Bloom Behavioral Healthcare today to learn more about how we can help support your family with compassionate ABA therapy that keeps their individual needs in mind. And no matter what it looks like, we wish you a safe, happy and peaceful 4th of July holiday!