Putting Holiday Plans Into Action
Hi there! How are you? It’s so nice to see you here!
WHAT’S HAPPENING THIS QUARTER:
We’re diving into the full holiday season starting out Quarter 4 (October - December 2025.). The holiday season can be an exciting time for us but it can also be a time of transition, lack of predictability & being in situations that are tricky for our learners to navigate. Let’s dive into how we can support them through this season.
Dec - Putting Holiday Plans Into Action
We close out this quarter and the last month of 2025 with last minute preparations for the big holidays this month, ways to create calm & predictability for your learner, embracing the positives of the holidays as well as how to manage the overwhelm as we transition into a new year.
Making Final Holiday Preparations
Holiday routines don’t have to be perfect to work. Knowing predictable flexibility is our friend helps us embrace the unexpected and celebrate progress, not perfection.
Right about now, you’re probably at the same place I am as a parent - tired. All of the holiday planning, preparations & visits galore have us over excited, over stimulated and over tired (and we still have an entire month to go!)
Thankfully, we have ways to help our learners with routines, feeling dysregulated and overstimulated and how to navigate social situations.
Let’s take a peek!
Coffee Break Coaching Moment: Preparations & First/Then
Prepping For Smooth Holiday Transitions (Visual Schedules, Sensory Friendly Breaks, etc.)
Much like we talked about last month, I’m sharing some of my favorite ways to use a visual schedule to share with our learners how to navigate the nuances of this month’s holidays.
Before we get started,
If your learner has had exposure to a visual schedule before, great! Head down to step 1 (below.)
If your learner has not had exposure to a visual schedule, there’s no better time than the present to begin! Start with presenting the schedule in 2-3 pictures at a time and consider using a “To Do” and “Done” template included in this month’s freebie to emphasize that the specific action is “done.”
Here’s how to use a visual schedule:
Think of your upcoming event, including transitions, in sequential order.
Begin with the first step and place the next 2-3 items out (using either template in our freebie this month.)
Point to the first item on the schedule and let your learner know, “It’s time for (activity.)”
Complete the activity, transition, etc.
Move the visual off of the schedule (either to a separate spot or onto the “DONE” side of the schedule, whichever you decide to use)
Point to the next item on the schedule and let your learner know, “It’s time for (activity.)”
Complete the activity, transition, etc.
Repeat step 5.
Repeat steps 3-5 until your learner has completed those 2-3 actions.
After those 2-3 actions, consider putting time for a break, engaging in a sensory activity, etc. This will break up the
First/Then (The Premack Principle)
First/Then or “The Premack Principle” is a behavior principle that breaks down actions into 2-steps using the language “first (activity), then (activity).” It’s used often to break down less desirable or less preferred activities because the less desirable activity is often followed by something more desirable.
You can use First/Then with:
Visuals
Language
A combination of both
First/Then can be used to present the actions in a sequence of events that your learner is completing by presenting the first action in the visual schedule and following that action, present a more desirable activity to follow.
Here’s what it could look like:
“First, we’ll get our coat & shoes on to go to Grandma & Grandpa’s house” (You can point the the visual on a first/then board while verbally making the statement or simply use the verbal statement.)
“Then, we you can pick the songs we listen to on the way.”
After the ride is complete, place the next action onto first and repeat steps 1 and 2.
Consider rotating and changing out the “then” activities so your learner doesn’t get bored.
Notice how this breaks down the first action in a visual schedule sequence into even smaller pieces but also provides a more desirable activity to follow, known as a reinforcer. In this example, the reinforcer is choosing the music the entire car ride.
**Just a suggestion: Make your life a little easier and pre-select your actions for the event and place them on a visual schedule. Remove them, in order, to use them on a first/then board. This just removes the quick shuffle trying to find pieces between steps.
Check out this month’s FREEBIE filled with updated visuals for this month including new schedule icons and a first/then board that is optional to use.
Every small step you take is progress
for your learner & family.
Creating Calm & Predictability
Our learners understand and learn the traditions we create. Adapt and simplify traditions to do in new ways to enhance their experience.
The holiday’s bring everyone together and with that come all of their sights, sounds, and scents (yes, some good & some not so good.) Either way, when all of this happens it can be overstimulating even for those whom are neurotypical.
So what can we do? Let’s talk about it.
Coffee Break Coaching Moment: Sensory Friendly & Timers
Set Up Sensory Friendly Zones
One of the best parts about the holidays are the lights. And I’m not talking about the flashing lights outside or the big blow up figurines on the lawn (although if that is your thing, more power to you!) I’m talking about the dim lighting in rooms where twinkling lights are glowing, setting a really calming ambiance. Some relatives may have a fireplace going or candles burning too.
When our learners need a moment of reprieve to reset and re-regulate, consider areas in the environment that provide:
dim lighting
away from larger groups of people talking
away from the kitchen (unless your learner finds this calming) to remove the extra smells and sounds, etc.
Once you’ve found the perfect location, allow your learner to explore it and find the spot that feels perfect for them:
on the floor
on a couch
under a cozy blanket
sitting on pillows or leaning on a couch, etc.
In this place and in their chosen spot, your learner can use some of their favorite sensory tools from their transition tool kit that you keep handy on your travels:
noise cancelling headphones
fidgets
weighted stuffed animal
coloring materials
putty or playdoh, etc.
Give your learner some concrete boundaries around this area and regular access. What do I mean?
They can ask to access this space at any time
They can choose to access this space after an activity during the event (if you’re using a first/then board)
Provide regular breaks during the event in your visual schedule, etc.
Give your learner a time limit (so they aren’t secluding themselves the entire event, we don’t want to make this into an “escape” the whole time). You can use a visual timer to support this
When the time limit is done, provide them the option to take a few extra minutes (1-3 minutes) knowing once the “extra time” is complete they are to go to the next activity or return back to the last activity they were a part of (if they asked for time in this are during an activity)
Times for Holiday Activities
You know how much I love a good timer, I feel like I talk about this frequently on the blog and social media. But here’s the scoop:
Timers aren’t just for our neurodivergent learners. We, as a society, live off of a visual timer known as the clock. Yes, you read that right.
Here are ways to use a visual timer:
A simple “clock” app on a phone or device
My favorite app “Visual Countdown Timer” on a phone or device (I use this with learners at school and at home because you can customize the image that is revealed as the time passes so the learner can see what is coming next - a great option to use with a first/then)
A kitchen timer (egg timer, stove or microwave)
I know sometimes the use of a visual timer can make our learners feel anxious and fixate on the timer being done.
When this happens consider a transition activity between the timer ending and engaging the in the next activity. This could be:
Something still desirable and preferred but not as strongly preferred as what the learner was just engaging in.
A transition item they can carry to the next activity or use at the next activity.
Consider pairing the end of the timer with a preferred song, setting the sound to vibrate or using yourself as the prompt to signal the time is up.
Check out this month’s FREEBIE with links to these visual timers and as well as a break image for requesting as well as an visual for requesting more time.
Your patience plants seeds
that will grow for years to come.
Building Positive Holiday Traditions
Holiday stress does NOT need to be the norm of the holiday season. Let’s debunk the myth & prioritize connection.
I’ll be the first to admit, holidays weren’t always the most positive growing up. Let me be clear, they weren’t always the epitome of the “Hallmark Holiday” because our holidays often involved plans being changed because a family member was sick last minute and we couldn’t get together, my sibling being sick and needing to be rushed to the Emergency Department, amongst other things.
As a sibling to a neurodivergent learner, I know first hand how building in positive holiday traditions, no matter the circumstance, can move mountains in creating a holiday your learner can feel and be successful in.
Coffee Break Coaching Moment: Holiday Guests & Reinforcement
Preparing For Holiday Guests
Whether your learner, like my sibling, needs to be mindful of illness this time of year or your learner needs more support navigating engaging with family and friends this holiday, I need to say this:
Before the holiday event happens, talk to the host (& the guests if you have that information) and share your current boundaries.
This is a tough one. I know because I remember my parents having to do this quite often and as a young girl it made me feel uncomfortable, so I can imagine now that they felt uncomfortable too. Uncomfortable or not, this part is necessary.
Why?
Sharing your boundaries for your learner ahead of time eliminates the discussion in the moment in front of your learner but also prepares those that plan to be around your learner how they can best support them. This could be with:
What phrases your learner is working on with greetings
Current activities of interest to talk about or participate in with your learner
Best ways to greet (or not to greet) your learner
Boundaries on illness (if your learner needs this), such as, “if your family is sick or is just getting over an illness, kindly let us know so we can plan accordingly.”
Building In Positive Reinforcement
In our first section “making holiday preparations” we discussed how to build in positive reinforcement throughout the event by using a visual schedule or first/then. We discussed using the “then” contingency with a more desirable activity. But, let’s take a it a step further.
We’re all together for the holidays, so why not make it more inclusive and incorporate family & friends into preferred activity times. This could look like:
Playing a preferred game
Building legos together at the table or on the floor
Coloring from a preferred coloring book
Listening to songs the learner enjoys
Watching a preferred movie with the learner, etc.
It doesn’t have to be complicated, but a little effort and planning ahead for what your learner prefers and even potentially how your family & friends can be involved goes a long way.
Check out this month’s FREEBIE chockfull of new reinforcer visuals and some scripts to use with family members.
Managing Overwhelm &
Transitioning To The New Year
Post-holiday chaos happens to everyone but it can be managed with a simple plan and rest that eases us back into our routines.
The end of the holiday season (& our last blog post of the year!) is quickly approaching. Let’s dive into how we can reset for the new year and
Coffee Break Coaching Moment: Calming Activities, Previewing & A Routine Reset
Go-To Calming Activities
Some of my favorite calming activities are actually quite simple & don’t often need a ton of prep. In no particular order:
Playdoh (great for making creations too!)
Travel size fidgets
Coloring
Music
A cozy blanket
Calming jars (these can be messy if they break, though)
Breathing techniques
While these are some of our family’s go-to calming activities on the go, yours could look different for your learner.
Using a “Morning Preview”
The day before your next event, start thinking about what activities that event entails and start talking about it with your learner.
You can do this 2 ways:
Describe the entire list of activities: “Tomorrow afternoon, we are going to Grandma & Grandpas to celebrate (event.) We will wear our holiday outfit and travel to their house in the car. We will see (names of family/friends) and eat (types of food.) We will open presents and spend time together. Etc, etc, etc.”
State the event that is happening tomorrow: “Tomorrow we are going to Grandma & Grandpa’s to celebrate (event.)”
“Morning Preview” is a great way to equip your learner with what’s to come the next day, but it can elicit extra questions (as it does my learners at home) so be sure to do this in a time during the day you can go over it with your learner to answer their questions (if they need that.) I would not suggest doing this right before bed, but rather mid-day or at dinner time when the family sits down together and can all chat.
Routine Reset
Let’s face it, holiday’s throw off routines and that week between the holidays and New Year’s Eve feels like a slump!
So what can we do?
Lean into grounding routines:
Why do this?
These are times when our learners know what to expect, it’s something familiar and done often, and can provide a great starting and ending part to the day that is predictable.
Try to stick to usual times for both routines to create an even more familiar rhythm as possible. I know it’s so easy to want to sleep in and stay up late (I’m guilty of this too!) but it will serve you & your family tremendously to
Check out this month’s FREEBIE with a morning preview visual too!
You are enough, just as you are.
Wishing you peace this holiday season.
If you’re wondering what to do and want to collaborate on sustainable behavior based strategies you can stir into your day, let’s chat over a coffee break together and refuel over a warm up with small sips of strategy to create a plan!
Make sure you’re following along on Instagram @coffeemugsandclipboards as we bring this quarter’s content all about the holiday season to life!
I hope your day goes as smoothly as you wish and as always,
I’m so glad you stopped by!
