Nov. 6, 2025

Early Holiday Prep For Autism Families: Safety, Food, and Peace

Early Holiday Prep For Autism Families: Safety, Food, and Peace
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Hey, What’s Up! It’s Tommy. Holidays can feel heavy for families like ours. In this early holiday prep episode, I open up about why November speeds by, how food and sensory triggers shape our plans, and what it looks like to protect our kids while still building joy. I share practical ideas for autism-friendly gatherings, from gluten-free swaps to simple safety tools, and I talk about community, encouragement, and choosing traditions that fit your family. If this season feels loud, fast, or lonely, you are seen. You can set boundaries. You can still find the small wins that make the holidays worth remembering.

Key Takeaways

  • Early planning lowers stress for families navigating autism during the holidays.
  • Build traditions that fit your child, not the other way around.
  • Food matters. Gluten, dairy, and sugar can hit hard, so plan safe menus and backups.
  • Simple safety tools like doorknob protectors can change the day.
  • It is okay to skip events that are not safe or supportive.
  • Encourage others and ask for encouragement. Energy spreads.
  • Start a gratitude list to reset your focus during tough weeks.
  • A small, consistent Thanksgiving can become a life-giving tradition.
  • Community helps. You are not alone, even when plans look different.
  • Protect your child, your spouse, and your home first. Joy grows from there.

Resources

  • Doorknob protectors for child safety during gatherings.
  • NAMI holiday mental health insights on stress and seasonal strain.
  • Gluten-free holiday basics, including safe turkey prep and easy sides.

Visit spectrumincamouflage.com for episodes, updates, and links. Share this with a friend who needs holiday hope today.

Questions, ideas, or a story to share? Email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

Follow Us!

Together, we can create a community to support autistic kids and their families. If you have questions or ideas or want to share your journey, email me at tommy@spectrumincamouflage.com.

Let’s learn, grow, and make a difference, one step, one piece of the puzzle, one child at a time.