December: The Holiday Issue
We can't believe how quickly 2022 has flown by. As we all prepare for the holiday season, Clancy & Associates would like to wish all of our clients a joyous holiday season. We've been reflecting on our blessings this past year both individually and as a firm. We're grateful to be part of such a special community, and it's been exciting to see our team grow so we can continue serving our clients' best interests. Wishing you a healthy, happy holiday season and we look forward to bringing in the New Year with you!
While the holiday season is a wonderful time, it can also be very stressful for families with children or adults with autism. As you know by now, preparation and practice are the key for success. Check out these tips to avoid any challenges and enjoy the season together...
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Prepare: The first step is to go over with your child the time or dates of holiday activities. Place these on a calendar in writing or using pictures. Repetitively discuss these dates and the specific activities in order to mentally prepare your child so they know what to expect.
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Keep routines as similar as possible: It is important to maintain regular routines and schedules as much as possible, even if you are traveling. These may include mealtimes, bedtime routines, hygiene schedules, and many others.
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Maintain reasonable expectations: Your child is likely to have some autism meltdowns or tantrums related to changes and stressors inherent in the holidays. Understand that the importance of the holiday for your child is that he/she enjoys it and not that he/she enjoys it in the same exact way everyone else enjoys the holiday.
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Be prepared to advocate for your child with family members: Family members, especially those not around your child regularly, may give unsolicited advice. Plan a statement on how you will handle this, politely. Keep in mind that they do not know what it is like to raise a child with ASD.
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Be prepared to deal with repetitive statements or behaviors regarding the gift(s) your child wants: Children with ASD often have a lot of anticipatory anxiety. One of the ways they may deal with this is by repetitively discussing the expected gift. Plan a way to limit how often they can ask for the gift.
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Best Sensory-Friendly Gift Ideas
If you have a loved one dealing with sensory issues, you might want to try bringing home some sensory-friendly toys that are specifically designed with autism in mind:
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Calming gifts are often well received and are very enjoyable. Some calming gift ideas include vibrating items or soothing visual items such as spiral timers and rhythmic moving motion lamps.
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Help them self-regulate (calm down, focus, or relax) by providing a pleasant activity or smaller items that can be pleasant distractions when traveling to visit friends or family. Some examples of popular sensory items include swings, weighted blankets, or cocoon type bean bag chairs, or toys with interesting textures, that play music, or light up.
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Cause and effect. Toys teach kids that they have the ability to influence their environment. Some developmentally appropriate cause and effect items for older individuals include pressure activated vibrating pillows, spiral timers, and Lollipopters.
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Fidget toys and stress balls can help manage stress and anxiety. We like fidgets that are durable and quiet. Quiet fidgets work well in the classroom, in a car, or at a restaurant. Some of our favorite fidgets include the Fidget XT, Tangle, Poppin Peepers, and the Stress-less Gel Ball.
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Give Back to the Community:
By spending just $30, you can make a difference in someone's life this holiday season. Trinity Services, Inc. provides residential support to 700 people with developmental disabilities and mental illness.
When you select a name from Trinity Services' Giving Tree and purchase gifts from someone's wish list, you'll help make that person's holiday wishes come true. The Giving Tree program is the perfect opportunity to give back to the community.
All donations are due by December 17th, 2022!
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📢 Upcoming Events and Resources
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Sunday, December 4th at 11:00 AM
Join the Special Needs Mom Squad and their friends to celebrate the holidays in a sensory-friendly style. ALL abilities are welcome! Enjoy lunch, sensory activities, and take pictures with Santa in their private room. There will be a delicious buffet, toys for all the kids, and all behaviors are welcome.
Address: Mistwood Golf Club (1700 West Renwick Rd. Romeoville, IL 60446)
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Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 at 7:00 PM
On Tuesday, December 6th at 7:00 PM, our Associate Attorney Jen Sabourin will be leading a virtual “Legal and Financial Planning” presentation for the Philip J Rock Center & School staff.
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Are you looking for a winter activity for your little one? Adaptive Play Time is here! DuPage Children's Museum is dedicated to being an accessible, inclusive environment for children. Adaptive Play Time provides a modified environment for play and learning for children and their caregivers.
This program is intended for children with disabilities, sensory processing disorders, and/or on the autism spectrum.
Address: 301 N. Washington St., Naperville, IL 60540
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Saturday, December 17th at 3:00 PM
Our friends at Rockin' The Spectrum are hosting their first Christmas Party for special needs families! This fun event will include dinner, games, and more. Please see the flyer for more information.
Address: 230 W. Plymouth St., Villa Park, IL 60181
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Thursday, January 12th, 2023 at 5:30 PM
The The Arc of Illinois invites you to join the following webinar series in Spanish, focusing on "Puberty, Sexuality and Disability" for parents of individuals with disabilities. Registration is required, but these virtual presentations are FREE of charge. Please see the flyer or website for more information.
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The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) wanted to provide some initial guidance regarding the implementation of the Direct Support Professional (DSP), Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) Aide and other frontline staff wage increases. The formal (and full) guidance will not be released until closer to the effective date and pending the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approval. Learn more here.
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The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois affirms a decision by the Commissioner of Social Security denying Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits to an applicant claiming a disability based on ADHD, depression, mood disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and mild intellectual disability. Learn more here.
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Planning for individuals with special needs and their families. |
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Clancy & Associates, Ltd. is Illinois's only full-service special needs planning law firm dedicated to supporting individuals with special needs and their families. Our mission is to help families protect and empower their loved ones with a disability through streamlined, comprehensive planning. We use our innovative full-service approach to both identify opportunities and secure solutions and benefits for our clients at our Firm. We “keep watch” for families so they can attend to the daily priorities of their loved one’s life and leave the legal planning to us.
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Connect with us on social media and tell your friends about us! |
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