Four Hard Things About the Fourth: Terri Mauro

Terri Mauro always has something to encourage families with children of special needs, as well as helpful suggestions around holidays. Below is an article from Terri Mauro. To read more just click on PARENTING SPECIAL NEEDS

from Terri Mauro

For those of us in the U.S. (and reading this newsletter on Friday, and not after you get back to the office after the long weekend), today is Independence Day, a day full of family fellowship and sensory overload for sensitive kids. As you head off to parties and pyrotechnic displays over the next few days, keep the tips in this week's featured articles in mind for a fun, not fearful time.

Four Hard Things About the Fourth
By Terri Mauro, About.com

Picnics, parties, BBQs, fireworks bursting in air -- the Fourth of July can be a lot of fun, and a lot of stress for a child with special needs. Here's a look at the main trouble spots, and what you can do about them.

1. Family Gatherings
Combine heat, messy food, and too many relatives, and you have a recipe for disaster for a child who has trouble staying out of trouble even under normal circumstances. Get some tips for dealing with stressful get-togethers in "Special-Needs Kids and Special Occasions."

2. Fireworks
Children with sensory integration problems may find fireworks overwhelming, from the sudden loud noises to the bright bursts of light to the crowds of people spectating. A strong pair of earplugs, like those worn by hunters, may take care of the noise, and lots of calming sensory input before and during the event may help make the rest less overwhelming. Read up on some sensory strategies and be prepared.

3. Forbidden Foods
If your child has a food allergy or a medical problem that dictates his or her diet, seeing a table full of picnic delights that are off-limits can put a real damper on the occasion. Make sure there will be several things available that your child can eat -- and if there's an accessible treat that your child especially loves, bring that along if possible. This may be a good time to try that allergy-safe cookie recipe from Gak's Snacks.

4. Fun Overload
Particularly in years when the Fourth falls mid-week, with festivities spreading out through the weekend and on and on, there may be too many days of disrupted routines for a child with special needs to bear gracefully. Plan plenty of down time for your child -- and yourself! -- and be sure that every event you visit is really worth the trouble. One spectacular celebration may turn out to be better than four or five events with an increasingly overtired kiddo.

Thanks, Terri!