Cake, candles, party favors, and games are some common fare to find at a child’s birthday party. A big birthday bash can be an excellent way to celebrate family members and let them know they are loved. But sadly, for children with autism, birthday parties can be overwhelming.
All the fares that many others find fun may create sensory overload. Luckily, there are still ways to include autistic children in a birthday celebration. Parents and caregivers can help throw an autism-friendly birthday party that’s inclusive for everyone.
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Let’s Party: Celebrating without the Stress
Choosing autism-friendly birthday party locations
The first decision for a sensory-friendly birthday party is where to hold it. To do this, you have to consider what the child likes and what may be overwhelming for them.
Places like Chuck E. Cheese and Dave and Buster’s in the United States are often popular birthday party locations due to the activities they provide.
However, the lights and sounds from the games that fill these places can send many children with autism into sensory overload. However, there are plenty of locations where a sensory-friendly birthday party can be held.
House
My wife and I often hold our younger son’s birthday parties at her parents’ house. It provides a familiar place where he is comfortable and offers him a safe place to go if he starts feeling overwhelmed. The downside is that we have to provide decorations and much of the food.Â
We can ask the guest list to bring a dish, but there’s still a lot of preparation and cleaning that falls on us. Still, it provides the best scenario for our son’s autism birthday party.
Parks
If the host wants an outdoor experience, many parks will allow parties. They often have a pavilion for the party to stay out of the sun. On top of that, many parks have playscapes that will enable the kids to play while working up an appetite.
If your child is sensitive to sound, parks can be sensory-friendly, as being outdoors can allow more sounds to escape.
The cons of parks are similar to holding a party at a house. The family is responsible for all setup, food, and cleanup. Most communities have littering laws, so there will be a financial incentive to ensure all trash and party favors are collected before leaving.
Sensory-friendly venue
Some places will offer a sensory-friendly birthday party experience. Many children’s museums provide sensory-friendly activities and rooms to help children with autism celebrate their birthdays.
While I mentioned Chuck E. Cheese earlier as a place that can lead to sensory overload due to loud noises and bright lights on their games, many of these venues offer sensory-friendly hours for a child’s party.
The noise volume is lowered during this time, and the lights are often shut off.
A sensory-friendly venue can provide an easy place to gather without the parents having to do too much preparation or cleanup. However, these venues will also often cost more than holding a party at a park or house.
Informing guests in advance
All guests need to understand the autism-friendly nature of any birthday party they attend. While adult family members will likely be aware of a child’s sensory sensitivities, another child may not grasp these needs.
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It’s important to sit down with those who may be attending and explain why the autistic child may need support and what they can do to make it easier for those with special needs.
Informing the guests can also make the opening gifts easier for the children. Guests can get sensory-friendly toys to give as a present. It can help make the child’s special day more fun and less stressful.
Food and snack ideas
Children with special needs may also have sensory sensitivities to food or dietary restrictions that may impact how they choose to celebrate at a birthday party. There are some ideas for food for autism birthday parties that can help make the event less messy.
Sensory-friendly foods
Brightly colored foods may appeal to children on the autism spectrum. Providing easy-to-pick-up fruits and vegetables like strawberries, carrots, and bell peppers may be visually stimulating while encouraging the child to eat healthily.
Finger foods
Many children may enjoy eating mini sandwiches, fruit skewers, or cheese cubes, which they can easily pick up with their fingers. Cupcakes could also be a dessert option, as some kids might prefer their own small cake rather than a piece cut from a larger cake.
Crunchy foods
Some kids on the autism spectrum may prefer crunchy foods to those that are sweeter or juicier. Snacks like mixed nuts and trail mixes can provide them with a healthy alternative that appeals to their preferences.
Avoid common triggers
Kids with autism may have dietary sensitivities to certain dyes, sugars, or gluten. Offering options that don’t contain any of these triggers can help a birthday party be more autism-friendly.
Making transitions during the party
Some kids may struggle with transitions between activities at birthday parties. That’s where a careful planning process can help the child have a fun experience despite the changes.
A visual schedule can help kids know what event is coming up and when they will move to a new activity. These schedules should be relayed to the child celebrating the birthday and other kids who may need this guide and support to help them feel comfortable.
Making birthday memories that last
Birthday parties are meant to be fun, but a lot of transitions, as well as bright lights and loud sounds, can lead to sensory overload for kids with autism. But there are plenty of autism birthday party ideas designed to make the celebration less stressful and more fun for all guests.
The host can set up ideal locations, foods, and schedules to make the party easier to navigate, either for their own child or for others who may struggle at social events. Remember, your child will have more fun if you make them feel comfortable rather than trying to make the event seem perfect.
FAQs
Q: What are party activities for kids with autism?
A: Autism-friendly parties will include several activities for children on the spectrum, including sensory bins, arts and crafts, slime, playdough, and other sensory-friendly activities.
Q: Should I take my autistic child to a birthday party?
A: It’s important for kids on the autism spectrum to get out and enjoy themselves, so it’s a good idea to take them to a party. Still, many parties can be overwhelming, so you’ll need a plan. A parent must be ready to take the child away from large crowds and into a quiet area if the party becomes too much.
Q: What do autistic children enjoy?
A: A child with autism may enjoy a wide range of activities, including structured play, sensory activities, individual sports, and activities tailored to a special interest of theirs.
Q: What games are autistic kids good at?
A: Kids on the spectrum may prefer games that allow them to take turns or involve imitation. They may also like a game that focuses on their special interests or sensory preferences.
Resources
Little LM, Sideris J, Ausderau K, Baranek GT. Activity participation among children with autism spectrum disorder. Am J Occup Ther. 2014 Mar-Apr;68(2):177-85. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2014.009894. PMID: 24581404; PMCID: PMC4012568.
Reynolds, K. E. (2012). Party Planning for Children and Teens on the Autism Spectrum: How to Avoid Meltdowns and Have Fun!. Jessica Kingsley Publishers. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=3WsSBQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA2&dq=autism+birthday+party&ots=6p0p_zyycq&sig=rJqeIsdZpPcO5riPW9OFaSjVzxI
Shaza Khatab, Mohamad Hassan Fadi Hijab, Achraf Othman, Dena Al-Thani, Collaborative play for autistic children: A systematic literature review, Entertainment Computing, Volume 50, 2024, 100653, ISSN 1875-9521, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.entcom.2024.1
