It’s summer in South Africa, it’s also Christmas and 6 weeks of school holidays before the start of the new school year.

I have read so many articles from northern hemisphere writers and professionals this December about “how to make the Christmas season less overwhelming for your SPD kids” but it just doesn’t touch on what we in South Africa experience this time of year.

I’d like to add to that conversation from a southern hemisphere perspective.

With ssummer holidays, come 2 weeks leave for most parents, 6 weeks school holidays overlapping that and Christmas and New Year. Lots of family, traveling to your holiday destination and sun, heat and late nights.

All the regular strategies apply.

• Fore warning
• Good sleep
• Preferred soothing items
• Familiar food
• A pre-determined safe space

Try to plan outings and visits earlier in the day, and allow breathing space in between activities.

Limit time in the sum, or ensure sun coverage with rash vests and hats. Lots of sunscreen (we use a long sleeve rash vest so we only have to sunscreen face due to the difficulty of sunscreen acceptance). We did have to deal with a round of mild sunburn, which was soothed with Ice man and paracetamol.

Avoid busy shopping centre’s and grocery stores. Order groceries for delivery or leave SPD kiddo at home with your partner and go it alone (it will be such a breather for yourself, I relish grocery shopping alone).

I did have to take my kids into a busy shopping mall, I kept the mood light by making funny jokes and giving a play by play of our next move. Speaking aloud about the shopping list etc to keep him focused on my voice. He did start to wobble in the very busy deli section of the store but that was purposely our last stop. He handled it well and didn’t have a major meltdown.

One thing I did notice is that the stammer he had most of the 3rd and 4th term completely vanished during the holidays. Most likely due to the lack of pressure and the effort it takes for him to “keep it all in” during school was gone.

We had a relaxed Christmas eve braai with family and spent Christmas morning opening gifts.

We have had some pretty difficult days as well as three trips to the doctor for sore throats, infections and a post school cold. But all in all, we keep life very low key (which works for us) and we’ve had a good holiday season.

We take his laptop along to family gatherings so he can dissappear for a while when he gets overwhelmed, he builds on Trail Makers and spends some time resetting. We visited lots of water places, beach, slides and splash pads, all sensory activities and great fun.

Now we start prepping for the start of the new school year, his new teacher is a qualified special needs teacher and I am excited to see how he grows in the new year with an understanding class environment and more understanding of what we are dealing with.

Xx Kim