Easter is finally here! While many of us look forward to a long weekend, it’s important to remember that Easter can be a challenging time – especially for autistic children, young people, and adults. The combination of disrupted routines, crowds, strong smells, bright decorations, and unexpected noises can be overwhelming. All of this can place significant sensory and social demands on autistic people.
So, how can we make Easter more inclusive and enjoyable for everyone? Here are some tips:
1. Planning Ahead Makes a Difference
Talk to the autistic person about what to expect over Easter. Explain things like the egg hunt, visits with family, and the food you’ll be having. Visual supports can be really helpful! The more prepared someone is, the easier Easter will be. Don’t forget to share even seemingly small details – things like whether Aunt Berit might stop by, or that Uncle Mikael won’t be able to make it. These details can be surprisingly important.
2. Managing Sensory Overload
Easter is full of strong sensory experiences – from strong food smells and brightly colored eggs and outfits to maybe even noisy traditions! Try to minimize these as much as possible. Could you choose eggs in more subtle colours? Or create a quiet space where the autistic person can take a break if they feel overwhelmed?
3. Listen and Respond to Their Needs
Pay attention to what the autistic person is communicating to you. Are they feeling anxious? Do they need some help? Let them know you’re there for them. If they express discomfort, don’t dismiss their feelings. Avoid saying things like “it’s only Easter once a year” or “you just need to cope.” Easter should be a relaxing time, not a stressful one!
4. Respect Their Social Boundaries
They might not want to hug relatives, shake hands with new people, or engage in lengthy conversations. Or maybe they’d prefer to be quiet and avoid small talk altogether. That’s perfectly okay! Let them decide how much social interaction they’re comfortable with.
5. Let Them Participate in a Way That Works for Them
Remember, everyone doesn’t need to participate in everything! A large Easter buffet might be too much. Consider a calmer, quieter space where they can enjoy their meal. Perhaps an autistic child wants to hunt for eggs in a smaller area of the garden? That’s perfectly fine! Maybe they only want to celebrate for one day? That’s also okay.
6. It’s Okay to Opt Out
Some autistic people really struggle with changes to their routines and may not want to celebrate Easter at all. Respect that decision! While Easter is a valued tradition in Sweden, not everyone enjoys or benefits from traditions. Just because you find holidays enriching doesn’t mean everyone else will. You might worry they’ll “miss out” if they stay in their room, but they might actually feel very happy and comfortable there. The most important thing is that the autistic person feels good during the Easter holiday – not that they actively celebrate it.
Wishing you all a happy Easter!
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