How to Have a Successful 4th of July.
Holidays in general can be difficult for children, teens and adults who are neurodivergent. A change in routine, environments, the people we see, and the foods we eat are all different and sometimes unpredictable.
Being prepared is critical to helping everyone understand what is happening and what they can do.
Some Tips and Tricks:
Pre-Game:
Let the individual(s) you are assisting know in advance what will be happening. I use social narratives to describe to my daughters what the holiday will entail.
An example of a social narrative about a BBQ might look like this:
"Thursday we will be celebrating the 4th of July. We will be having a party at Auntie’s house. There will be a lot of people there. I can take a break inside the house if I need to. Later we will go see the fireworks. Fireworks are very loud, colorful, and fun to watch. If it gets too loud, I can put my headphones on. The 4th of July is a fun day with family and friends." 😊
Another great tool is Video Modeling:
Pull up a YouTube video of fireworks where you can control the volume. You can watch several times, increasing the volume each time, while explaining what is happening.
Quiet area:
In someone’s house or the community. It is important that the individual(s) you are supporting have a place to take a break away from the activities. When my girls were younger, I would bring a small indoor pop-up tent, with some favorite toys. The tent provided a shelter from the environment and being in the tent was familiar to them.
Exit plan:
It is helpful for families to have a plan to pack up quickly should the environment become too overwhelming.
Resources:
An all-inclusive Firework Show at Beavertail State Park: July 4th, 2024, 7:00pm-10:00pm
- Reduced Noise Levels
- Wheelchair Accessibility
- Stroller Friendly
Learn more about it here: Quiet Fireworks at Beavertail State Park | Rhode Island State Parks (ri.gov)
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!
Susan Baylis Jewel
Manager of Family Support
