The Challenges of Easter Traditions When Your Child Has Special Needs

When your child has autism or another “special need,” every holiday presents a host of challenges.  Here are three I remember from past Easters.

Photos with the Easter Bunny

Getting a photo with the Easter Bunny is a big thing in the US.  The Easter Bunny is in large shopping malls with lots of people moving around and lights and sounds – not an ideal environment for kids with sensory issues.

If you pass this first hurdle, and get into the mall, another obstacle awaits – the line to see the Easter Bunny.  Now your sensory sensitive child is confined in a small, noisy area with other children.

Finally, it is your turn and your child sees the Easter Bunny up close.  He tries to run away because like Santa, the Easter Bunny can terrify young children.  He doesn’t really look like a real bunny and is big and scary!  Even if you manage to get the elusive photo with Mr Bunny, it is not a happy one!

Daveynin on Flickr

Easter Egg Hunt

Nemo on Pixabay

Most Easter egg hunts have informal rules to ensure fairness.  Rules are great for most children with autism who love structure.  They know how to follow rules.  What they don’t understand is the “grey area” accompanying these rules. 

So if the rule is that the first person to spot the egg gets it, why do you have to give the egg to the younger child right behind you? If adults are not supposed to help, why is mom helping a toddler?

Church

Open Clips on Pixabay

Everyone is in his or her best clothes for Mass on Easter Sunday.  Nevertheless, trying to get your child, who lives in tee shirts and sweat pants, into a regular shirt and trousers is difficult. 

Once your child has his Easter clothes on, the scratching and complaining starts.  Easter clothes are not sensory friendly.  So, you give up and go back to the tee shirt and sweat pants. 

Thankfully, we are past this stage and I look back and laugh now!