Fall Fun Without The Pressure

Fall is here and with it comes a bucket list a mile long of fun things to do. There’s apple picking, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, Halloween, and all the other things that make the season seem special. Soon, your social media feed will be filled with exactly that - friends, family, and even strangers sharing a highlight reel of their fall adventures. While it’s always nice to see others enjoying themselves, it can also add a lot of undue pressure to parents who feel like they have to measure up.

In reality, there’s no need to cram everything - or even anything - into your fall calendar. These events can be a blast, but with unfamiliar environments, new people, weather changes, smells, and noises, they can also be overwhelming, especially to a child with autism. 

The great news is that there is no “right” way to enjoy fall. Instead of comparing your plans to what others are doing, focus on what works best for your family. Fall can still be a fantastic season that your family enjoys in their own way! 

Choose Fall Fun Wisely

Rather than creating a mental list that includes all of the things, choose a few activities that mesh well with your family's needs. Let your child’s interests guide the planning, choosing activities that align with what they enjoy and where they feel most comfortable. If your kiddo can’t stand scratchy things, a hayride likely isn’t the best choice, but they may like collecting leaves on a fall nature walk. The crowded pumpkin patch may not be their ideal activity, but painting a pumpkin you grab at the store could be fun! Some ideas to consider for your family’s fall fun may include:

• Apple Picking

• Backyard Scavenger Hunts

• Fall Sensory Bins

• Fall Movie Nights

• Backyard S’Mores

• Simple Fall Crafts

• Pumpkin Patch

• Pumpkin Painting

• Nature Walks

• Leaf Raking & Jumping

• Fall Decorating

Prepare For Outings Ahead Of Time

No matter what outings you decide to go with, it’s best to go into it feeling prepared. Choose weekday or sensory-friendly hours if available for a less crowded experience. Investigate things like parking, wait times, and rest opportunities. Talk through the plan with your child, including photos of the place and an explanation of what you’ll be doing and when. Pack a bag with water, snacks, sensory tools, and comfort items so you’re ready for any need that may arise. 

Give Yourself Permission To Pivot

Here’s the thing... You can plan for every possible issue that crosses your mind and the outing may still not go quite as you hoped. That doesn’t mean it’s a failure. A successful outing doesn’t mean you have to stay until the end or participate in every single attraction available. Sure, it may not feel good to spend $50 to get in somewhere just to leave in 30 minutes, but it hurts more seeing your child in a state of overwhelm. Start your adventure on a positive note, but watch your child closely for signs that they’ve had enough. If you sense that the tides are turning, there’s nothing wrong with making a quick pivot to the exit. Leaving a situation on a positive note before things escalate may make it easier to make another attempt in the future. Every experience provides information that helps plan the next. If you make it half an hour at the pumpkin patch this year, maybe next season you can try for an hour. Or, you can put that $50 toward snacks and a cozy movie night. There’s no shame either way. 

Make Your Own Traditions 

There is no requirement to adhere to stereotypical traditions. If touching pumpkin guts is a hard no, skip carving night. If your child is insistent on the same Halloween costume they wore the last 3 years, that’s fine. If jumping into a pile of leaves sounds torturous, color and cut out paper leaves to hang around the house. Your family’s fall traditions can look however you want them to look. The only thing that matters is that everyone enjoys it. 

Memories Matter, Not Expectations

Most of the time, the comparison of parenting exists in our own heads. Kids aren't measuring their childhood against a curated Instagram feed. Sometimes we're better off following their lead instead. If they're happy spending Saturday painting a pumpkin at the kitchen table, that experience doesn't become less meaningful because another family spent the day at an elaborate fall festival. Don’t spend the entire time focused on an expectation you created in your head or you’ll miss what’s taking place right in front of you. The memories you’re making are the ones they’ll carry with them, not the things you chose to skip.  

How ABA Therapy Can Help

Whether your fall activities are simple or more in-depth, there are ways to make them more comfortable for your child with autism. ABA therapy can help build skills that make community outings or group activities easier for them. Using an individualized care plan, we work with your child and family to improve communication, navigate transitions, regulate emotions, and encourage self-advocacy. These skills help your child and those around them better understand what works for them and what doesn’t. With a better understanding, it becomes easier to plan outings and events that fit in with your family’s needs. Contact Bloom Behavioral Healthcare to learn more about how ABA therapy can help your family. 

For a fun fall-themed event, be sure to check out Bloom’s upcoming Fall Meet & Greet, taking place on Saturday, October 24 from 12pm-2pm at the Old Fire House Event Center in Kearney, MO. The goal of this free event is to bring families with neurodivergent children together for support and conversation. The whole family is welcome!! Please register here to let us know if you’ll be there for planning purposes.