The holidays can bring added stress for individuals with learning differences and their families. Changes in routine, increased social activities, and new expectations can make this time of year feel overwhelming. But with the right preparation and support, the holidays can also be an opportunity for connection, growth, and meaningful experiences.
With planning, realistic expectations, and a little flexibility, students and families can reduce stress and navigate the changes that come with the holiday season. Educators and support teams can help by working with each student to identify strategies that support short-term transitions and maintain the routines and skills they have been building.
At CIP, students develop individualized strategies to help them stay on track during breaks and other changes in routine. These may include creating a wellness plan, managing a holiday budget, planning social activities, and maintaining responsibilities at home. By preparing in advance and tailoring strategies to each student’s needs, families can help make the holiday season feel more manageable while supporting continued independence and growth.
Develop a Weekly Schedule
A consistent schedule can be especially helpful during the holidays, when familiar routines often change. Work together to create a weekly plan that balances responsibilities, social activities, downtime, and things the student enjoys.
Use transition-home guidelines to set clear expectations and identify activities in advance. Once you agree on a plan, make it easy to access. Post a visual schedule in the student’s room, use a shared calendar, or add reminders to a phone. Having a plan to reference can reduce uncertainty and help students continue practicing the executive functioning skills they use at CIP.
Remember the schedule does not need to be rigid. Building in flexibility and discussing changes ahead of time when possible can help students practice adapting to the unexpected.
Empower Independent Decision-Making
The holidays are also an opportunity for students to practice making decisions, solving problems, and advocating for themselves. Whenever possible, encourage your student to take the lead rather than immediately stepping in to solve a problem for them.
Give students opportunities to make choices, communicate their needs, and consider possible solutions. Self-advocacy builds confidence and helps students develop the skills they need to communicate with family members as young adults.
The goal is not to make every decision independently, but to provide the support needed for students to increasingly take ownership of their choices, responsibilities, and experiences.
To learn the difference between empowering vs enabling, watch the free webinar here.
Change Your Perspective
For students and individuals with learning differences, the holidays are an opportunity to put the skills you’ve developed into practice. Returning home can sometimes feel like stepping back into old routines or expectations, but you can use this time to demonstrate how much you’ve grown.
Here’s a refresher on some ways to do that:
- Assert yourself
- Act mature
- Take initiative
- Self-advocate
- React differently
- Self-control
- Listen to feedback; don’t be defensive
- Ask questions
These skills may take practice, especially when you’re back in a familiar environment. Give yourself—and your family—some patience as everyone adjusts.
Show Your Skills
Small, everyday responsibilities can be meaningful opportunities to demonstrate independence. Look for ways to contribute at home and continue practicing the skills you’ve developed.
- Cooking for your family
- Cleaning up after yourself
- Personal hygiene
- Getting up at a reasonable time
- Make your own fun
- Transport yourself
- Do your own laundry
These tasks may seem simple, but consistently managing them without reminders can demonstrate growth in independence, responsibility, and self-management.
To find out more about how to further develop these crucial skills and more, read this blog article.
Top 5 Health & Wellness Goals
The holidays are a good time to maintain the healthy routines that support your overall well-being. Your routine may look different at home, but small, consistent choices can help you feel your best and make it easier to transition back to your regular schedule.
1. Exercise Regularly with a Personalized Fitness Plan
If you don’t have access to your regular gym or fitness routine, find other ways to stay active. Take a walk, explore your hometown, try a new activity, or exercise with family or friends.
The goal isn’t to follow the exact same routine you have at CIP. Find realistic ways to keep moving that fit your schedule, interests, and environment.
2. Schedule Weekly Menu Planning and Grocery Shopping
Set aside time each week to plan your meals, make a grocery list, and shop for the food you’ll need. If possible, take ownership of as much of the process as you can.
Planning ahead can make healthy choices easier, help you stay within your budget, and reduce the stress of figuring out what to eat at the last minute.
3. Cook!
Keep practicing your cooking skills while you’re home. Prepare meals for yourself, help with family meals, or try a recipe you’ve been meaning to make.
You can also use the holidays as an opportunity to practice skills such as following a recipe, making substitutions, planning portions, cleaning as you go, and safely storing leftovers. Every meal is another opportunity to build confidence in the kitchen.
4. Be Mindful and Present Regularly!
The holidays can be busy and sometimes stressful, so make time for the strategies that help you manage stress and stay grounded.
This might include meditation, deep breathing, taking a walk, listening to music, journaling, spending time outdoors, or simply taking a few minutes away from a busy environment. Consider adding a wellness activity to your weekly schedule so that taking care of yourself remains a priority.
5. Have Fun!
The holidays are a special opportunity to spend time with family and friends, reconnect with your community, and enjoy activities that make you happy.
Make room for laughter, relaxation, hobbies, and the things you genuinely enjoy. Not every moment needs to be productive. Downtime and enjoyable experiences are an important part of maintaining your overall well-being.
Show Your Social Skills
CIP’s social skills team works with students in advance to help them prepare for the transition home and eventually return to their regular routines. The holidays provide plenty of opportunities to practice those skills in real-world settings.
Here are some ideas to try:
- Parents can encourage and motivate their students by celebrating small successes.
- Compile a list of small goals related to social etiquette and role-play common scenarios that might occur.
- Identify potential triggers in advance and develop appropriate coping strategies.
- Email or use social media to connect with friends in the community and suggest a get-together.
- Take photos to share and talk about what you’ve been doing. Sometimes a picture really can help start a conversation.
- Contact family members in advance to learn what activities are planned and get a sense of the family’s schedule. Advocate for planned downtime when needed.
Remember that social success doesn’t mean every interaction will go perfectly. The goal is to practice, learn from experiences, and use strategies that help you navigate different situations with greater confidence.
Shock and Awe Strategy
Do things without being asked!
Look for opportunities to take initiative and contribute at home before someone reminds you. Whether it’s helping prepare a meal, completing a household chore, making plans with friends, or simply noticing that something needs to be done, taking action independently can be one of the clearest ways to demonstrate the skills you’ve developed.
Sometimes the most meaningful progress is simply showing others (and yourself) what you can do.
