Teaching Emotional Regulation During the Holidays & Stressful Time
As December brings the peak of the holiday season, many families find themselves immersed in celebrations filled with joy and connection. For children with autism spectrum disorder, however, this time of year can bring unique challenges that test their emotional regulation skills. The culmination of schedule changes during winter break, sensory overload from twinkling lights and crowded stores, and the heightened excitement surrounding gift-giving and holiday gatherings can create significant stress.
At Pathways Strategic Teaching Center, Trudeau Center professionals use evidence-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) techniques to help children develop the emotional regulation skills they need to navigate these challenging times successfully.
Understanding Holiday Stress for Children with Autism
The holiday season disrupts many of the predictable routines that provide comfort and security for children with autism. School winter break eliminates the familiar structure of the academic day, familiar activities get replaced with holiday parties and special events, and homes transform with decorations, guests, and the anticipation of gift-giving. These disruptions, combined with increased sensory stimulation from holiday music, bright lights, and bustling shopping centers, can overwhelm a child’s ability to manage emotions effectively.
“Understanding that behavioral challenges throughout the holidays is crucial,” explains Mackenzie Milner, Clinical Director of Pathways Strategic Teaching Center. “When individuals lack the tools to identify and manage their emotions during stressful situations, they may resort to behaviors like meltdowns, withdrawal, or aggression. Our goal is to teach them socially acceptable behaviors and strategies that they can use when they feel overwhelmed.”
Building Emotional Awareness and Vocabulary
The foundation of emotional regulation begins with emotional awareness. At Pathways, behavior analysts and special education teachers work systematically to help children recognize and label their feelings. Using visual supports like emotion charts, social stories, and video modeling, children learn to identify physical sensations associated with different emotions. Recognizing that a racing heart and tense muscles might signal anxiety, or that warmth in the face might indicate frustration.
This emotional vocabulary becomes especially important during December when children encounter situations that trigger strong feelings. A child who can identify that they feel “excited but worried” about opening presents in front of extended family, or “frustrated” by changes to their bedtime routine during winter break, has taken the first step toward managing those emotions effectively.
Evidence-Based Regulation Strategies
Pathways uses systematic ABA approaches to teach children a toolkit of regulation strategies they can employ when emotions escalate. These techniques are practiced repeatedly in calm moments so they become accessible during times of stress. Deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and sensory breaks are introduced gradually and reinforced through positive reinforcement when children use them appropriately.
Visual supports play a critical role in helping children remember and implement these strategies. A portable “calm-down kit” might include squeeze toys, noise-canceling headphones, or a visual schedule of regulation steps. Teaching children to recognize their personal warning signs and self-initiate these strategies represents a significant step toward independence.
Preparing for Holiday-Specific Challenges
Preparation is key to helping children with autism successfully navigate holiday events. Social stories customized for specific situations – like a Christmas morning gift exchange, a Hanukkah celebration with extended family, or a New Year’s Eve gathering – help children understand what to expect and practice appropriate responses. These narratives walk children through the sequence of events, identify potential challenges, and present coping strategies.
Visual schedules maintain predictability even when routines change. A calendar showing which days have special events, what the regular routine will be, and when normal schedules resume can reduce anxiety significantly. Including “breaks” or “quiet time” in the schedule gives children something to look forward to and communicates that their need for regulation time is understood and respected.
The Role of Families in Supporting Regulation
Emotional regulation skills developed at Pathways must generalize to home and community settings to be truly effective. Behavior analysts work closely with families to ensure parents and caregivers understand the strategies being taught and can support their use during real-world situations.
“We coach families to recognize the early signs that their child is becoming dysregulated and to intervene proactively,” says Andre Bessette, Ph.D., Vice President of Children’s Services at the Trudeau Center. “During the holidays, this might mean behaviorally rehearsing upcoming events, taking a sensory break before attending a gathering, limiting the duration of visits, or creating a quiet space where the child can go if needed. These accommodations aren’t avoiding the challenge – they’re teaching the youngster to self-monitor and self-regulate, thus setting them up for success.”
Building Resilience Beyond the Holidays
While the holiday season presents unique challenges, the emotional regulation skills children develop during this time serve them throughout their lives. Every successfully managed stressful situation builds confidence and reinforces the effectiveness of regulation strategies. Children learn that they have tools to help themselves feel better and that uncomfortable emotions are temporary and manageable.
For over 25 years, Pathways Strategic Teaching Center has helped children with autism develop the skills they need to thrive in all environments and situations. Through individualized, evidence-based programming that addresses emotional regulation alongside communication, social, and academic skills, Pathways empowers children to navigate life’s challenges – including the wonderful but sometimes overwhelming holiday season.
To learn more about Pathways Strategic Teaching Center and how comprehensive ABA programming can support your child’s emotional regulation skills, visit www.trudeaucenter.org or call (401) 739-2700.
AI may have been used in the initial drafting and research of this article. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, medical, therapeutic, or individualized service advice. Every person’s needs and circumstances are unique. For information about services specific to you or your loved one, please contact the Trudeau Center.
