Thanksgiving is the perfect time to show our gratitude for those who
fill our hearts with love and to reflect on the life experiences that
shaped us into who we are. It's also an opportunity to reconnect
with family and friends and unwind with a helping (or two) of our
favorite holiday dishes.

In this edition of E-Speaks, you'll hear about the holiday
traditions of one autistic mom and her daughter, who is also on the
spectrum, and learn why they are more thankful than ever this year.
You'll also get helpful tips on how to plan an autism-friendly
Thanksgiving, score travel tips to ensure a stress-free holiday and
hear a few simple ways you can make your holiday meals easier for your
food-sensitive autistic family members.

In my own words: What I'm thankful for this holiday season

Tania, 30, and her daughter Valeria, 3, were diagnosed with autism on
the same day last summer. It was a day that would provide answers to
the many questions Tania struggled with her entire life and set her
daughter on a path of intervention services that will hopefully help
her to reach her full potential. In this blog, read more about this
family's autism journey and all they have to be thankful for this year: [link removed]


Tips to make your Thanksgiving autism-friendly

Holidays like Thanksgiving can be stressful for people with autism and
their families. The change in routine, food and surroundings can feel
overwhelming for those who struggle with sensory challenges and social
anxiety. In this blog post, behavioral expert Arianna Esposito and
self-advocate Anne Grego-Nagel share how families can make their
Thanksgiving festivities more inclusive for their loved ones with
autism: <a href="[link removed]

Tackling travel for the holidays

Is your family traveling for Thanksgiving? While travel can be a scary
experience for some autistic people, preparing ahead of time can help
you stay cool and collected. View a list of our top travel
tips to help you get ready for air travel and navigate any potential
challenges: [link removed]

Guide to coping with food sensitivities

Many people with autism have sensory differences that make eating
certain foods a challenge. Some may be unwilling to try new foods,
while others have rituals around their eating habits. In
this?Guide to Exploring Feeding Behavior in Autism, you can learn some tips to make your Thanksgiving meal a little easier for your autistic family members: [link removed]

Santa Claus is coming to town!

This holiday season, families looking for a sensory-friendly Christmas
experience can enjoy the time-honored tradition of a visit with Santa!
In partnership with Cherry Hill Programs, Autism Speaks will offer 500
sensory-friendly events in hundreds of caring locations across the
U.S. Click here for more information about upcoming events and to book
your reservation: [link removed]


Shop with Amazon Smile and a percentage of your purchase is donated to Autism Speaks:
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