Thanksgiving on the autism spectrum is usually a pretty intense experience. From the travel to the family issues to the food concerns, Thanksgiving can wreak havoc with carefully crafted schedules. And coping with family is tough enough without adding autism to the equation.
By the same token, Thanksgiving can also be a time when even the most critical family member can back off a bit to reflect on the good things in life. They may even reach out to a child or adult with autism, and find ways to connect.
If you're reading this, you've obviously snuck away from the festivities to take a break... check the web... and regroup. Do you need to vent? Cheer? Reflect?
Share your Thanksgiving thoughts!
I am an adult endowed with Asperger’s.
The rational logical thinker is trying to put a smile on my face and get along, yet I cannot deny the obvious that I have already nearly jumped out of my skin twice already this morning from a routine yet unexpected voice or sound, so the stress must already be profoundly affecting me, even though I have spent most of the day hiding in the basement. I am already tremulous, and half of my children haven’t even arrived yet. The basement is only 69°F yet I am in a cold sweat. It will be insufferable when my intrinsically loud brother-in-law gets here. I cannot not watch everyone around me like a hawk, for if I do not see and anticipate their actions I may become startled so badly I am seriously injured again. (In the past I have fallen and broken bones, torn muscles, bitten my tongue and once a startle caused me to shatter a tooth!)
On the plus side, at least my diagnosis of Asperger’s permits me to politely explain my aversion!
I was contemplating this experience this morning and how difficult it is for all of us. I thought about the fact that I created a social story a few years ago just about Thanksgiving to help my daughter cope. I am hoping this year will go well. I am making the GFCF foods to replace the stuffing and other things she won’t be able to eat. My hope is that our family will step in today and give us a bit of a break if things start to go badly. Also, I plan to enjoy a glass or two of wine…it helps! To all: Know you are not alone in your journey today.
i am not sure whether to write an essay in comedy form or listen to sad music….i really dont do well at the holiday time of the year
oh well…i will definately count my blessings!
My son does well in parties. We’re going to our second Thanksgiving dinner now (not in our house).
Well, Thanksgiving went fine. We went to my MIL’s for an early dinner yesterday and my son did fairly well. His cousin was there also (he has autism too) and things went well until they started fighting over a toy they didn’t want to share. Then, we had to get inbetween them and calm them down. Afterwards, they sat beside eachother, the best of friends, eating dessert!
Well, last week at school , my son with aspergers told his TSS worker that grandma’s turkey was way better than the turkey dinner they had at lunch. This is funny because he doesnt eat much meat to begin with , infact I dont beleive he ever tried turkey. So I told him , he had to try grandma’s turkey this year. ( he has finally been trying new things at 9 yrs old). Anyhow , he tried it. He hated it……I laughed. He did eat 2 helpings of mashed potatoes with gravy this year ( he never ate gravy before!).
As for behaviors , his 2 cousins were there drove every crazy with their blabbing (2 girls need say more). My kiddo was on his best behavior & I still say Id take room full of Aspergers boys over 3 or for girls at the same age !