Happy New Year!!!

 Happy new year, Everyone!!! Let me just wish you all the very best for this new year! I know it's been awhile since I've written anything. As Santa's personal elf in charge of getting Solon excited and ready for Christmas, I was very busy. We had a wonderful (and exhausting) holiday and I loved every minute of it. 

Once Christmas is finished, there are a few things I still have to do. As much as Solon loves Christmas, there are a few "must have's" Solon insists on to ring in the new year. Solon thrives when he's on a schedule and the holidays are no different. Here's a few things I do for Solon to keep him excited and interested while we prepare for a whole new year. 

Calendar

I know it might seem a little odd, but Solon insists on being the one to change the calendar. Every year, I buy a new calendar or two to replace the old. Solon likes having his own calendar. I will get him a calendar based on something he likes. Last year's was Toy Story. This year will probably be Hot Wheels or dinosaurs. I haven't been able to find one that I like yet, so I'm a little behind already. 

Solon enjoys staying up late to see the new year in, even if it is just an excuse to play with his toys a little longer. Since I am behind on finding his perfect calendar, I'll explain what we usually do. At midnight, Solon takes down the old calendar and puts up his new one on the correct month. He views what picture is showing and points out to me what is happening. His birthday is in January so we find his birthday right away. It's his way of starting his countdown to his birthday.

Countdown

Solon and I don't do a countdown together when the new year starts. However, he does enjoy having a day to day countdown leading up to New Year's Eve. I let him pick what kind of countdown he'd like to have. Usually, it's just counting days on his calendar. I have used a calendar as a countdown for many events in his life and new year's day is no different. 

Solon enjoys having a countdown for a few reasons. First, it helps him keep a schedule. Even if his normal routine is different because of the holidays, a countdown helps him keep some kind of control over his day, even if it's just to know what day it is and how many are left until the new year. 

I think Solon also likes a countdown as a way of keeping himself excited for what is about to happen next. Many autistic children have difficulty handling new things and become anxious when they don't know what to expect. Solon keeps himself engaged and happy while he counts the numbers down to January 1st. He knows after January finally arrives, his birthday is not far off which brings us to a different countdown. 

One thing you can try with your child to keep them excited for an upcoming new year is to do something fun with them on new year's eve. If you aren't comfortable or able to let your child stay up past midnight, do something fun at bedtime. Build a fort in their room or in the living room and have an indoor camping holiday. String left over Christmas tree lights on the walls around it to make having the fort even more special. Read stories in the fort or play games and spend some real quality time with your child and make the final day of the year a special time. 

There are plenty of things you can do to make the end of the year a fun and exciting time for your autistic child. These are just a few things I have tried with Solon over the years. See what tradition might work best for you. 

Best wishes to you all for an outstanding new year. As always, stay positive - Jen

Comments

  1. Darrel and Joanne HammonJanuary 6, 2021 at 5:45 AM

    Nicely done!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Darrel and Joanne HammonJanuary 6, 2021 at 5:46 AM

      What does Solon do with his old calendars?

      Delete
    2. JenJanuary 24, 2021 at 3:42 PM

      We take them apart usually and use the pictures as posters to put up all over his walls. Or anywhere he would like to hang them up for the year.

      Delete
  2. WPelletierFebruary 10, 2021 at 8:17 PM

    I like countdowns too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JenFebruary 11, 2021 at 9:55 PM

      I am always interested in any kind of countdown we haven't tried. I would love some suggestions!

      Delete

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