How have your little ones with ASD (Aspergers Traits in particular) coped with Christmas Day

[Blossom4538]

Just wondering really. Lots of highs and lows here.

How little do they need to be?

DS (16, Asperger's) coped really well. He came to church with us and chatted briefly with people before the service.

He managed to sit at the table for the whole of Christmas lunch (not leaving the table early is something we're currently working on) and conversed appropriately with the person sitting next to him.

He willingly watched the Queen's speech (which is important to his grandmother) without any random comments.

It helped that he was able to have "social breaks" in between each of these things where he was allowed to go and sit in his room on his own with his laptop.

Meltdown within an hour followed by some shutdown.

Managed to eat his chicken nuggets with everyone else at the dinner table

Then back to hiding but happy hiding

So not too bad

So far ds has flooded the sitting room by overfilling the sink and smashed the brand new tv at PIL's house. This seems to be an annual thing as he smashed dm's new TV last year! Our very own Christmas tradition.

Otherwise I think he's done pretty well all things considered.

Today we're travelling an hour and a half to have a long family meal (for 12) in a busy, noisy restaurant...

Hope the drive and the lunch went ok thefirst!

Better than expected here, as it was just the 4 of us, and very low key.

We've got a houseful tomorrow, though, so let's see...

DD(4) will sometimes willingly come somewhere quiet for a bit if she's overwhelmed now, rather than just flinging herself on the floor, rigid and shrieking, so that's good...

DS1 just struggles with holidays. Finds the structure of school reassuring and spends the holidays winding everyone up, having mini meltdowns and being rude. He is also just entering puberty which has doubled his challenges! He has a very clear idea of what he expects and then can’t cope if it does not happen. He mainly wanted his ‘special interest’ as presents and forgets the social rules when he receives gifts that don’t conform to his expectations. Was rude to me, my sister and his Grandad on Christmas Day and has a tendency to blurt out what he thinks other people have before they open it so ruining the surprise. It is hard work but I know other children with many more challenges so I know we are relatively lucky.

We were at the restaurant for over 2.5 hours, there were extra guests we hadn't been expecting, and DS wasn't able to have the dish he had ordered (they'd run out). He took the changes well, was polite and make attempts at small talk. I'm really pleased with how well he coped.

This evening he was not his usual self at all, so I can tell that he found it all quite stressful. We have a quiet day tomorrow where he can keep to his routine and not have to socialise, and I think it's very much needed.