View in browser

E-Speaks eNewsletter

The holiday season is a time to connect with family and friends, uphold cherished traditions and create new memories that will last a lifetime. It’s a chance to pause, reflect on years past and look ahead to the endless possibilities that come with a new year.  

In this edition of E-Speaks, we’ll share one family’s greatest successes and proudest moments from the year. You’ll also read two stories from our community members on how to modify your traditions to make the holidays more comfortable for autistic loved ones. Lastly, we’ve included tips to make your holiday travel safe and stress-free, information about where to find sensory-friendly Santa events, and a special note of gratitude for your support this year. 

From our families to yours, we wish you a happy, healthy holiday season and a prosperous new year. 

Autistic second grader and supermom thrive in 2022 and look forward to new heights in the New Year 

Scarlett’s mom, Caitee, talks about the tremendous strides her daughter, age 7, has made over the last year, including transitioning to a new school, joining the local cheerleading squad and achieving educational and social milestones that her family was told she’d never accomplish. Now that Scarlett is back to in-person school full time, Caitee was also able to reach new heights of her own, earning her real estate license and is looking forward to starting a new career in addition to being an autism mom. Read more about this awesome mom and daughter duo and what they have planned for 2023!

How to make the holidays warm and bright for yourself and your autistic loved ones 

While the winter holidays have become a season of high expectations for everyone, they can be especially stressful for people with autism and their families. So how can you manage the hustle and bustle or help your autistic loved one cope? In this blog post by autistic self-advocate Lydia Wayman, she shares the traditions of her autistic friends and loved ones. You can also read some successful holiday strategies from J-Jaye Hurley, one of our Autism Response Team members and the mother of an autistic teenager. For even more holiday tips, check out our Holidays page. 

Staying safe and stress-free while traveling this holiday season 

Holidays are the busiest time of the year for travel. But  changes in routine, unpredictability, crowds, new noises and sights can all make the experience difficult for people on the spectrum and their families. With a little planning and information, the doors can open to new travel opportunities for you and your family. Read our holiday travel tips for autistic people and their families when traveling by plane. Find even more resources on our Traveling with Autism page. 

Santa Claus is coming to town! 

Autism Speaks is teaming up with Cherry Hill Partners to offer 500 sensory-friendly Santa Cares events in locations across the U.S. starting December 4, 2022. Hosted by an autism-friendly Santa and staff who can support those with special needs and their families, most events will occur outside of normal business hours and  have reduced lighting and music. Hear from parents who describe how great the experience was for them and their child, including a mom whose son was able to visit Santa for the first time. Advanced registration is required. For a list of participating Santa Cares locations and to book your reservation, visit santacares.whereissanta.com. 

Thank you for your dedicated support—you make our work possible 

The holidays are a time to show gratitude for the blessings in your life and spread joy to others. As we reflect on our accomplishments over the past year, we at Autism Speaks would like to thank you for your dedication and support to our community. In our newest videos with Charlie and Donna, you can see how you help us make a difference in the lives of people on the spectrum. We offer a heartfelt thank you to all who make our work possible. 

Match Alert: Your gift will be DOUBLED 

The holiday season is a time for giving, filled with warm wishes and gestures of appreciation shared amongst friends, family and community. It’s the time of year when we come together in the spirit of hope and understanding. Starting tomorrow, our dedicated supporter, Lisa Higgins Hussman, is matching all gifts up to a total of $40,000! Help enable an even greater holiday gift of a bright future for people with autism by having your donation deliver TWICE the life-changing impact. 

Local events and information

Autism Speaks | 1060 State Road 2nd Floor, Princeton, NJ 08540
© 2022 Autism Speaks Inc. Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Design are registered trademarks owned by Autism Speaks Inc. All rights reserved.

Unsubscribe | Update subscription preferences