Helping Children with Mental Health and Sensory Challenges Enjoy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time for family, good food, and making memories. Many families look forward to gathering around the table, visiting relatives, and enjoying holiday traditions. But for some children, Thanksgiving can also be stressful and overwhelming.
Children with ADHD, anxiety, autism, sensory sensitivities, or other emotional and behavioral challenges may have a harder time handling holiday gatherings. Loud conversations, unfamiliar faces, crowded rooms, and changes in their daily routines can make it difficult for them to relax and enjoy the day.
The good news is that a little planning and understanding can help make Thanksgiving more comfortable and enjoyable for everyone.
Prepare Your Child Before Thanksgiving
Children often feel more comfortable when they know what to expect. A few days before Thanksgiving, talk with your child about what the day will look like.
Explain where you are going, who will be there, and what activities are planned. If relatives are visiting your home, let your child know who is coming and approximately how long they will stay.
For children who become anxious around unfamiliar people, showing pictures of family members before the gathering may help. You can also practice simple greetings or explain that they don’t have to hug or kiss anyone if they feel uncomfortable.
Knowing what to expect can help children feel more secure.
Be Aware of Noise and Crowded Spaces
Thanksgiving gatherings can get loud. Multiple conversations, televisions, children playing, and kitchen noises may be overwhelming for a child who is sensitive to sound.
Try to provide a quiet place where your child can take a break when needed. This might be a bedroom, a quiet corner, or another room away from the activity.
Allow your child to bring something comforting, such as a favorite toy, blanket, book, or headphones. Noise-reducing headphones may be especially helpful for children who are sensitive to loud sounds.
Let your child know that taking a break is perfectly okay.
Keep Some Familiar Routines
Holidays often mean changes in everyday schedules. Meals may be served later than usual, bedtime might change, and regular activities may be interrupted.
For children with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or other challenges, these changes can sometimes lead to frustration or emotional outbursts.
Try to keep familiar routines whenever possible. If your child normally eats lunch at noon but Thanksgiving dinner isn’t until four, offer a small meal or snack at their usual time.
Keeping familiar activities, rest times, and bedtime routines can help children feel more comfortable throughout the holiday.
Don’t Force Social Interactions
Thanksgiving often brings together relatives your child may not see very often. Some children enjoy the attention, while others may feel uncomfortable around people they don’t know well.
Avoid forcing your child to hug relatives, answer questions, or join conversations when they aren’t ready.
Instead, allow them to participate at their own pace. A simple wave, smile, or hello may be enough.
It may also help to explain your child’s needs to close family members beforehand. Remind them that a child who avoids eye contact, needs space, or doesn’t want to talk isn’t necessarily being rude.
Sometimes children simply need extra time to feel comfortable.
Watch for Signs of Stress
Children don’t always know how to explain when they are overwhelmed. Instead, they may become quiet, restless, irritable, tearful, or unusually active.
Pay attention to changes in your child’s behavior. These may be signs that they need a break, something to eat, or a little time away from the crowd.
Try not to wait until your child becomes extremely upset. Offering breaks throughout the day can help prevent stressful situations from becoming more difficult.
You can even create a simple signal your child can use when they need help or want to leave a situation.
Let Your Child Enjoy Thanksgiving Their Own Way
Not every child will enjoy Thanksgiving in the same way, and that’s okay.
Some children may love helping prepare dinner, while others might prefer coloring, watching a movie, or playing quietly.
Give your child choices about how they participate. They might help set the table, make Thanksgiving decorations, or spend a little time with one family member instead of joining a large group.
Remember, the goal isn’t to have a perfect Thanksgiving. It’s to help your child feel safe, included, and comfortable.
Supporting Families During the Holidays
Thanksgiving can be a wonderful opportunity for children to connect with family and create happy memories. With patience, preparation, and understanding, parents and caregivers can help reduce holiday stress and make celebrations more enjoyable.
Families raising children with mental health, emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges may also benefit from additional support and community resources.
Advocacy Links helps families connect with information, resources, and services that may support children and their caregivers. Some children may also qualify for Wraparound services, depending on their individual needs and eligibility requirements.
Every child is different, and sometimes small changes can make a big difference.
This Thanksgiving, remember that creating a welcoming and understanding environment is more important than having everything go exactly as planned.