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Winter break is here, and the absence of a daily school routine is an opportunity for students to get some much-needed rest before returning to the classroom.

The holidays themselves can be a flurry of snowy weather and family traditions, and these busy times can be overwhelming for some children with autism who are sensitive to sensory overload. Take the time to explain what to expect during the holidays themselves, and the quiet time after the dust (or snow) settles.

With shorter days, less favorable weather, and no set structure, parents should take steps to ensure this blank slate is used in a way that refreshes and engages their children. With both the busy and quiet times of winter breaks, it can be particularly helpful for children with autism to have some structures in place. 

Parents who use winter break to reflect, catch their breath, and prepare to finish out the rest of the school year can give their children a restorative break that also sets them up for success in the new year ahead by following the steps below.

Reflect on What Went Well

With the first half of the school year firmly behind them, parents of children with autism can set a date and time to reflect on how they felt about their progress at school and in their personal life.

Prior to this conversation, parents can take the time to outline a few questions like:

• What did you learn from the first semester?
• What was your favorite class?
• What were some new places you went to?
• What was the biggest challenge you faced?
  • How did you overcome it?
• How did you feel about your routine at school and home?

These types of general questions can help a child think about what happened in the last months of the year. By acknowledging equally the successes and struggles they’ve already gone through in a calm, structured setting, the lessons from the experience can be internalized more deeply. 

In particular, reviewing success with your child can build confidence. These reminders keep their accomplishments fresh in their minds, and when similar situations occur in the future, they are more likely to remember they have all the tools within themselves to handle it.

The last month and first few weeks of a year are a fertile time for everyone to think about how far they’ve come, and where they would like to go next. Open up the conversation with your child about how they feel, and you might be surprised by what they reveal.

Fill the Empty Space with Structured Fun

The relative blank slate of winter break is a welcome sight for parents and students alike, but without any set plan, this valuable time can spiral into a muddled blur if left unchecked. Whether you plan to travel to visit family or stay cozy at home, children with autism appreciate having some sense of what to expect in the weeks to come. 

One of the best tools parents can create with their child is a visual calendar, as it’s an interactive way that can give a sense of grounding while in new situations. Before the actual start of winter break, or within the first few days, take the time to sit down with your child and outline what the new routine will be in the weeks to come.

Of course, not every hour needs to be accounted for, and having some free time to explore and play is advisable for balance. This can be an ideal time to experiment with new hobbies in arts and crafts, music, and other subjects that piqued your child’s interest.

Winter break is a malleable time that, when given just enough structure, can help students mentally relax while still staying sharp for the new semester ahead.

Set Goals for the New Semester

Winter break doesn’t last forever, and before the first day of the spring semester, it can be helpful to ask your child what they would like to achieve when they return to school.

These goals can be more academic-focused, like reading a certain number of books, or more physical, like learning how to play a new sport. What matters most is that it’s something they show interest in themselves, as that makes it far more likely they will pursue the goal with passion once they return to school.

Once the new goals have been expressed, help your child fill out the details of what the road to attaining it might look like. For the goal of finishing a set number of books, that might mean scheduling reading blocks of thirty minutes to an hour per day after school. For the new physical activity, that could be extra practice or exercises related to the sport.

No matter the activity, breaking down the road to success step by step makes it appear far more attainable for your child. You can even get a head start on these goals in the week before class resumes, setting the tracks early for your child to form a lasting habit. Utilizing support tools like stickers or pictures on their existing calendar to show progress can also help ingrain these new habits, increasing their likelihood to stick long term.

Ambitious but realistic goal setting can turn winter break into a fun time to regroup and prepare. It’s much easier to make these types of plans in the calm of winter, rather than try to do it while the busy school year is already underway.

Beyond Winter Break

For adults and children alike, the patterns and mindsets we establish during winter break often follow us into the new year. With just a little planning and a few open conversations, parents can help ensure their children find and stick to a positive track. 

Reflection, schedules, and goal setting can be an easy opportunity to engage with your child and learn how to better help them along their path. In doing so, students can return to school feeling more confident and ready to learn than ever.

Winter break is a special time, as it gives parents and children invaluable time and space together in a relatively quiet setting. This unique period can be used as both a breather from the busy times and the perfect opportunity to prepare for whatever might come next in life.