PARTY HARD

Parties and other unfamiliar and crowded venues (the mall, movies, amusement parks, live performances, etc.) are often especially threatening to children who thrive on routine and predictability. With forethought and advanced planning, you and your child will be able to enjoy this party-packed season.

Prepare, prepare, prepare.

• Tell your child in advance what activities the party will include, where it will be, and who will be there.
• Let your child know what particularly fun activities he/she can look forward to and what might make him/her uncomfortable.
• Acknowledge and discuss the things about parties that are hard for your child (for example, “It really bothers me when music is so loud. What about you?).
• Arrive at the party early to scope it out, when there are fewer people and less commotion.
• Help your child pick a “safe spot” where he/she is encouraged to go if he/she needs a break from sensory overload.
• Let your child know if there will be costumed people or clowns. If your child is scared of them, practice doing dress-up activities, playing clown, or reading books about clowns geared to your child’s developmental level, to demystify them.

Set reasonable expectations for the amount of time you can spend at a party. You may be better off spending a successful hour and leaving on a high note rather than staying for an unsuccessful two hours.

Acknowledge to yourself in advance that you may have to spend more time helping your child acclimate than other parents. That is okay, because handled wisely, your child’s abilities will grow, and you will be able to spend more time with your friends the next time around.

Blog written by: Aviva Goldwasser, MA, OTR