Navigating the holidays with children and adults with disabilities
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A local organization is working to make the holidays more enjoyable and accessible for people with developmental, physical, or mental disabilities.
Experts say small adjustments, like sticking to routines and creating quiet spaces, can make all the difference in making the season enjoyable for everyone.
Changes in routine, new foods, unfamiliar sounds, and added demands can create stress for both children and adults. “Gatherings with lots of people can be overwhelming from a sensory perspective – noisy and just kind of more chaotic. Luckily, now we do a lot of online shopping, but I think shopping a lot in the holiday season is that alone, so for a lot of our individuals they’d be pretty overwhelmed by that,” said Karrie Veteto, director of Autism and Behavioral Services at Easterseals Crossroads…