Why December needs a plan
School breaks, travel, and sensory heavy events can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. A simple plan helps your child enjoy the season and protects routines that keep everyone regulated.
Build a calm holiday rhythm
Create a visual calendar. Mark parties, travel, therapy breaks, and quiet days. Review it each morning and night.
Keep the anchors. Hold steady on wake time, meals, meds, and bedtime even when schedules get busy.
Use a first then script. First parade then home movie. First three houses then snack.
Pack a calm kit. Headphones, fidgets, chewy or preferred snack, water, wipes, and a small flashlight.
Sensory smart celebrations
Sound. Try early arrival before crowds. Stand away from speakers and bells. Offer noise reducing headphones.
Light. Walk light shows at your child’s pace. Skip strobe areas. Bring a small clip on light for dark paths.
Touch. Choose soft tag free clothing. If costumes are tricky, try a favorite hoodie or cap.
Smell and taste. Keep a known snack handy and do a quick candy sort at home.
Gift ideas that build skills
- Communication. Picture exchange sets, simple AAC compatible buttons, story sequencing cards.
- Movement. Indoor mini trampoline, body sock, weighted lap pad, wobble cushion.
- Play and social. Turn taking board games with clear rules, cooperative games, sensory bins you can do together.
- Daily living. Visual timers, color coded drawers, step by step hygiene charts.
Safer outings
Add a wrist tag or pocket card with your phone number. Practice a home base signal. Cross only at corners. One adult per child for runners. Reflective tape on coats or buckets.
Travel tips
Preview the route with photos or a short drive. Pack duplicates of must have items. Use a visual checklist for hotel routines. Plan one high energy activity and one quiet activity each day.
School break learning that feels like play
Read favorite books aloud ten minutes a day. Cook together and let your child measure and pour. Sort laundry by color. These routines strengthen language, motor skills, and independence.
When big feelings show up
Validate first. You are telling me this is too loud. Offer a choice. Five more minutes or car break. Use a short reset. Breathe in for four, out for six. A win is any moment your child uses a safe coping tool.
Community support in and around Lumberton
Ask your library about sensory friendly story times. Many faith and community centers now offer quiet rooms during events. Your county parks often list lower sensory hours for winter programs. If you need a custom visual schedule or a holiday social story, our team can help.
A note for January
Right after break, jot two lines about what worked and what was hard. Bring those notes to the first school meeting of the year so IEP supports reflect real life.
How we can help
Transformation Therapy Services creates personalized holiday strategies, from social stories to calm kits and caregiver coaching. If you want a quick December tune up for your plan, reach out and we will build it with you.
