Autism-Friendly Thanksgiving: Tips, Activities, and More!

Thanksgiving is a time of togetherness, celebration, and gratitude, but for families with autistic individuals, the holiday can present unique challenges. Sensory sensitivities, changes in routine, and social expectations can make it overwhelming.

With thoughtful preparation and a few adjustments, Thanksgiving can become an inclusive, enjoyable experience for everyone. This guide will provide practical tips to help parents and caregivers create a calm, autism-friendly Thanksgiving. 

Why is Thanksgiving challenging for autistic individuals?

For children or adults on the autism spectrum, Thanksgiving can be difficult due to heightened sensory sensitivities and disruptions in their daily routines.

The loud chatter, strong food smells, bright decorations, and unfamiliar social interactions can lead to sensory overload. Additionally, the sudden schedule change may increase anxiety.

Take, for example, a child with autism who enjoys predictable mealtimes and prefers quieter environments. A bustling, noisy dining area with an unfamiliar menu could cause distress.  

Understanding these triggers is the first step in creating a more autism-friendly celebration. 

Tips for preparing for an autism-friendly Thanksgiving

Preparing for an autism-friendly Thanksgiving involves thoughtful planning to ensure the celebration is enjoyable and comfortable for everyone. You can make the day more inclusive by considering sensory sensitivities and communication needs and creating a predictable environment.

Here are some practical tips to help you prepare for an autism-friendly Thanksgiving.

1. Plan in advance

Open communication is critical. Talk to your family members about any specific needs, sensory sensitivities, and potential triggers that could affect your autistic child or family member.

Having a clear understanding of the day’s events and discussing expectations ahead of time can significantly reduce stress for everyone.

2. Use social stories

Social stories are simple, step-by-step narratives that explain specific events or situations. They help autistic individuals understand what to expect and reduce anxiety around changes in routine.

For example, you can create a Thanksgiving social story that outlines when guests will arrive, what kinds of food will be served, and how the day will unfold. Reviewing the social story several days before the event helps prepare them mentally for the day’s activities.

3. Create a quiet space

Designate a quiet, calming area where individuals with autism can retreat if they feel overwhelmed by sensory stimuli.

Equip this space with comforting items such as noise-canceling headphones, weighted blankets, or favorite toys. Ensure they know in advance that this space is available if needed.

4. Provide visual schedules

Alongside social stories, use visual aids like a schedule to map out the day’s events—from guests’ arrival to when the meal will be served. Visual schedules allow autistic individuals to follow along and feel more secure, knowing what’s coming next.

5. Manage sensory triggers

Sensory overload can quickly occur during large gatherings. Because of that, managing stimuli like noise, lighting, and smells is essential.

Keep music and television at a low volume to lessen background noise. Opt for soft lighting and ventilate the dining area to reduce overwhelming food smells.

Thanksgiving activities for autism

Autism-friendly activities can help engage individuals while keeping their sensory needs in mind. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Thanksgiving crafts for autism: Simple crafts like making paper turkeys or gratitude cards allow autistic children to express creativity in a calm, structured way.
2. Sensory play: Providing sensory activities like a Thanksgiving-themed sensory bin  (filled with items like corn kernels or feathers) can keep children engaged without overwhelming them. 
3. Storytelling: Use visual stories about Thanksgiving to help explain the holiday in a way they can understand. Storybooks or simple narratives with pictures can help autistic children better prepare for the day. 

Tips for Thanksgiving meals for picky eaters

Many autistic individuals have specific dietary preferences or are selective about their foods.  Here’s how you can ensure mealtime is less stressful:

1. Offer familiar foods: Include familiar dishes they enjoy alongside the traditional  Thanksgiving menu. This will make them feel more comfortable when presented with new or unfamiliar options.
2. Sensory-friendly foods: Serve foods in a way that reduces sensory overload, such as offering them in smaller portions or presenting them separately to avoid mixed textures.
3. Prepare in advance: Let the autistic individual know what foods will be served. You can even allow them to help in the kitchen so they know what to expect. 

A memorable Thanksgiving for everyone

Creating an inclusive Thanksgiving celebration doesn’t have to be complicated. By focusing on the unique needs of autistic individuals, you can ensure they feel comfortable and included throughout the day.

From making minor environmental adjustments to planning autism-friendly activities, these efforts go a long way toward ensuring that everyone enjoys the holiday.

Remember, Thanksgiving is about togetherness and gratitude. By making a few thoughtful accommodations, you can create an experience that everyone, including your autistic family members, will remember fondly. 

FAQs

Q: How do you help an autistic individual on Thanksgiving? 

A: Reduce sensory overload and offer a quiet space to create a calm environment. Stick to routines and communicate beforehand what the day will involve, reducing anxiety.

Q: Do autistic people feel gratitude? 

A: Autistic individuals can feel gratitude, although they may express it differently from neurotypical individuals. Understanding that their emotional responses may not always align with traditional expectations is essential.

Q: How do you make Thanksgiving fun for autistic kids? 

A: Include sensory-friendly activities like crafts and storytelling, offer familiar foods, and ensure they have a safe space to retreat if overwhelmed.

Q: How do you explain Thanksgiving to an autistic child? 

A: Use visual stories or social narratives that outline the day’s events clearly and structured. This helps them understand what to expect and reduces anxiety. 

References 

Cameron, L. A., Borland, R. L., Tonge, B. J., & Gray, K. M. (2022). Community participation in adults with autism: A systematic review. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities,  35(2), 421–447. https://doi.org/10.1111/jar.12970 

Moorthy, S. D., Carlstedt, A. B., & Fischl, C. (2023). Mothers’ participation in family gatherings and social events with their children with autism spectrum disorder: A scoping review.  Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 70(4), 500–513. https://doi.org/10.1111/1440- 1630.12876

Rodger, S., & Umaibalan, V. (2011). The routines and rituals of families of typically developing children compared with families of children with autism spectrum disorder: An exploratory study. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(1), 20–26.  https://doi.org/10.4276/030802211X12947686093567

Rodriguez, M. (n.d.). How to make the holidays less stressful. NESCA Newton. https://nesca newton.com/tag/depression/