Here is Day 4 of our Easter Survival Tips! We would like to remind you that every child is different and unique and responds to stimuli in different ways. Here is what worked for us!

Finally, plan ahead. You know your child better than anyone, so anticipate trouble spots before they happen. Pack a busy bag for church, seat your child far away from a well-meaning relative who’ll try and force unfamiliar foods on him, or pair your kiddo up with an understanding cousin who’ll help her navigate the kids’ table. Then relax and enjoy making memories with your family!

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Here is Day 3 of our Easter Survival Tips! We would like to remind you that every child is different and unique and responds to stimuli in different ways. Here is what worked for us!

Go candy-free. Children with special needs often have some sort of food restriction. Eliminate the issue by filling your Easter eggs with toys instead. Consider fidget toys, bubbles, Silly Putty, pencil grips, novelty erasers, toy cars, ear buds, balls, money, and Lego figurines. If you’re giving a treat to a child on a special diet, be sure to run any food items by mom and dad first to make sure it’s not on the restricted list.

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Here is Day 2 of our Easter Survival Tips! We would like to remind you that every child is different and unique and responds to stimuli in different ways. Here is what worked for us!

Adapt your Easter Egg hunt. No one is less happy than a kid with an empty basket at the end of an Easter egg hunt. While it may be tempting to hover nearby and help your child find his eggs, there are ways to adapt your hunt so he can be successful on his own. The first step is to lay out the rules: Everyone stops after finding X number of eggs, which gives slower children more time to look for their eggs without fear of them all being found. Or try assigning each child their own colour to find. Talking eggs give an additional auditory clue and are also great for kids with visual impairments. One of my favourite home visit activities this time of year is an egg hunt inside a sensory bin (usually rice). Because it’s one-on-one, each child has as much time as they want to find their eggs and it’s an activity that is easily adapted to each child’s needs.

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Here is Day 1 of our Easter Survival Tips! We would like to remind you that every child is different and unique and responds to stimuli in different ways. Here is what worked for us!

Put down that Easter bonnet. The adorable smocking on that fancy Easter dress or the stiff dress shirt and tie might feel a little itchy to a typical child, but to a child with sensory issues who over-registers sensations, it could very well be unbearable. You might be able to compromise by letting her wear a favourite t-shirt underneath or letting him wear his Superman socks. But if not, you might just have to let it go. If you just can’t bear to let her wear her beloved sweatpants today, at least pick out an outfit that’s soft and comfortable. Make it special by choosing holiday colours or adding holiday accessories.

Keep up to date by following our Instagram account @rett_syndrome_bc