And the Anxiety Rises.... It's Holiday Party Time

Tis the season to have meltdowns....

The season of hustle and bustle, work parties, school parties, church parties, irregular bed times, broken routines, and extreme chaos is upon us. Wow, sounds fun, huh? It can give even the most calm and rational of us a moment of panic, but what does it do to our kids on the spectrum?

Before you over schedule your family for the holidays, consider the stress that this "fun party" may have on your child or friend with Autism.

Where we see festive lights.... He may see flashing, unpredictability that bothers his vision

Where we see many friends and familiar voices... He may hear loud chaos and see too many faces that cause sensory overload

Where we smell holiday food....He may smell unfamiliar food that he doesn't enjoy

Where we hear our favorite carols....He may hear songs that are annoying and irritating

Where we are excited to stay up a bit later.....He may feel tired, sleepy, and ready to be home.

Where we are happy for the break in routine.....He may feel confused and helpless


Tips to Make the Holidays Happier for Everyone

- Pick only one or two parties to attend
-Always make it home for bed time
- Use Social Stories to prepare your child for the situation
- Avoid excessive sugar and other foods that impact your child negatively
- Have a fun bag of things for your child to do while at the party

State Testing with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome and What it Means for Your Child

The dreaded topic of..... STATE TESTING



Most of the school year in public school is focused on state testing- preparing for, practicing for, and taking tests. There are benchmark tests, pretests, reading and math tests, plus normal weekly classroom tests starting in 2nd grade, earlier in some places. The focus on testing is stressful for some students. It causes anxiety about passing the test and passing the grade for parents as well.

Modified state tests are currently non existent in Oklahoma. Students on IEPs can have accommodations for the regular test, if they take the paper and pencil version, and if they are currently receiving these accommodations in the classroom. However, there is no longer a modified test. There is still portfolio assessment for lower functioning students, but it is highly suggested that these be utilized in very small numbers.

So, what does this mean for your student? Will he be able to pass the state assessments? Will he be able to graduate from high school? Is graduating from high school important for you and your student? Is traditional public school the best place for students on the spectrum? What other options are available for your child?

These are questions that you should carefully consider and think about and address with your child's IEP team. Talk to them about ways to help your student prepare for these tests. Ask about the substitution tests and modified projects. Read on the Oklahoma State Department of Education website about these tests and become informed so that you can make decisions that are best for your child and your family.

Please leave your thoughts, suggestions, and comments below.
If you have questions, please email me at tulsaautismtutor@gmail.com or message me on Facebook!