ABA Parent Guide to Thanksgiving Break Routines

Thanksgiving break changes the daily rhythm. School pauses. Therapy schedules shift. Families travel or host big meals. For many kids with autism, these changes can feel hard. Applied Behavior Analysis gives you tools to keep the break calm and connected. This guide turns ABA ideas into simple steps you can use all week. You will find plans you can follow, sample visuals, and backup strategies for travel and big family meals. At the end you will see local ways PCABA can help in Stafford and nearby communities.

ABA Parent Guide to Thanksgiving Break Routines

If you want a quick refresher on autism or ABA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a clear overview of autism, and the National Institutes of Health shares research based resources. These are trustworthy places to learn more. CDC

Your Thanksgiving week playbook (ABA Thanksgiving routines)

Think of the week as three parts. Before the break. The holiday days. After the holiday.

Three to five days before the break

1. Map the daysOpen a calendar and sketch the week. Mark school out days, travel, mealtimes, and bedtime. Kids do better when the plan is visible.

2. Build a visual scheduleCreate a simple morning, midday, and evening board. Use words or pictures. Keep steps short. For example. Wake up. Bathroom. Breakfast. Get dressed. The CDC and NIH both highlight that predictable routines help many children with autism. Visuals make routines easier to follow. CDC

3. Choose two target routinesPick the two moments that matter most to your family. Many parents choose morning get ready and dinner time. We will build those later in this guide.

4. Pack a calm kitAdd noise reducing ear plugs, a favorite small toy, a chewy or fidget, a soft hoodie, a water bottle, and any medicine as prescribed. Put the kit by the door so it travels with you.

5. Plan rewards that fit your childUse tiny rewards right after effort. Extra time with a favorite activity. A small sticker. A short video. In ABA we call this reinforcement. Small and fast is best.

6. Share the plan with helpersTell grandparents and cousins the plan in two sentences. We are keeping a simple schedule. We will take short breaks and praise effort. Keep it that simple.

One day before the holiday

1. Practice the scriptRehearse a greeting and a polite exit line. Try I am happy to see you. Try excuse me I need a break. Keep sentences short.

2. Walk through new spacesIf you will go to a new house, show two pictures of the place. Front door. Living room. If you will fly, explain that TSA has helpers for people with disabilities and that you can ask for extra support at security. The TSA Cares program offers assistance through the screening checkpoint and a help line you can call before you travel. Transportation Security Administration+1

3. Set sleep and mealsKeep bedtime and meal times steady. Even a one hour shift can change the whole day.

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Build the two key routines

Below are simple ABA steps you can print and use.

Morning get ready routine

Goal. Start the day calm and on time.

1. Visual firstPlace a small schedule on the bedroom door. Steps. Bathroom. Get dressed. Breakfast. Brush teeth. Shoes on.

2. Short promptsSay one step at a time. Bathroom. Then wait. Avoid stacking requests.

3. First this then thatFirst get dressed. Then two minutes with favorite toy. Use a timer so the trade is clear.

4. Praise effortSay exactly what went well. Nice job starting bathroom right away.

5. Quick reset if stuckOffer a choice. Shirt first or socks first. Choices reduce power struggles.

6. Track winsPut a check mark on the schedule when a step is done. Checks feel like progress.

Dinner time routine

Goal. Sit for a short family meal without stress.

1. Define successStart small. Three minutes at the table counts. You can grow later.

2. Use a start signalRing a gentle bell or play the same short tune on your phone. Predictable starts lower anxiety.

3. Seating and sensorySeat your child where traffic is low. Offer a cushion for the chair. Keep smells and noise down if you can. Ear plugs are fine.

4. Micro choicesWater or milk. Carrots or green beans. Choice improves buy in.

5. Praise micro stepsGreat job taking a bite. Nice asking for a break.

6. Exit before overloadEnd the meal while energy is still okay. Success beats pushing for one more minute.

Travel day plan

Travel stacks many changes at once. Use these steps to smooth the day.

1. Pack snacks and comfort firstLight snacks steady blood sugar. A familiar snack can be the difference between meltdown and calm.

2. Dress for sensory comfortSoft layers. Tagless shirts. A hat or hoodie for noisy spaces.

3. Use airport support if flyingCall TSA Cares to arrange help before you go. At the checkpoint you can request assistance from a Passenger Support Specialist. This can reduce waiting stress and confusion at security. Transportation Security Administration

4. Use timed breaksSet a timer for short stretch breaks every thirty to forty five minutes. Look for quiet areas and use headphones.

5. Keep the visual nearbyBring a small schedule card. Next steps are easy to see and follow.

Big family gathering plan

Large groups can overload the senses. Plan your space and your time.

1. Choose a home baseFind a quiet room where your child can rest. Put the calm kit there early.

2. Assign a buddyChoose one adult who stays within sight and trades off as needed. Fewer voices reduce confusion.

3. Set a safe exitPick a leave time before the energy dip. Early exits protect the next day.

4. Teach a break signalUse a hand sign or a card that says break please. Reinforce it at once.

5. Keep food safe and simpleHoliday food can be new and exciting. It can also carry food safety risks.

6. If you cook the turkey at home, the USDA says the turkey must reach a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use a food thermometer to check the thigh, the wing, and the thickest part of the breast. If your child helps in the kitchen, build hand washing into the visual schedule. Food Safety and Inspection Service

Handling meltdowns with care

Meltdowns are not bad behaviour. They are a signal that the system is overloaded. Here is a calm plan.

1. Lower demands

   Stop new requests. Reduce noise and light.

   
   

2. Keep words short

   One idea at a time. I am here. You are safe.

   
   

3. Offer a retreat

   Move to home base. Use deep pressure if your child likes it. Offer the chewy or fidget.

   
   

4. Wait for the body to settle

   Do not talk it all through during the peak. When calm returns, praise recovery. Nice job taking a break.

   
   

5. Review and adjust

   Change the schedule for the next hour. Cut one task. Add one calming step.

If a crisis goes beyond what you can manage at home, remember that the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available for urgent mental health support in the United States. You can call or text 988. Counselors are available all day and night. SAMHSA

Picky eating on Thanksgiving

Holiday menus often collide with food selectivity. Use small ABA steps.

1. Keep a safe plateAlways include two safe foods at the table. This reduces stress and allows work on one new food.

2. Use tiny exposuresPlace a pea sized taste of a new side on a small plate. Praise looking. Praise touching. Praise a lick. Do not force bites.

3. Pair with reinforcementAfter contact with the new food, deliver a small reward. A sticker. A high five. A minute of a favorite video.

4. Model and narrateTake a bite yourself and describe the texture and taste in simple words.

5. Stop before distressWork for two to five minutes, then end on a success. Try again another day.

Screen time during the break

Screens can be a helpful tool and also a source of conflict.

1. Set clear time windows

   Place a small clock icon on the visual schedule. Use a timer for transitions.

   
   

2. Connect access to effort

   First help set the table. Then five minutes of the favorite show.

   
   

3. Use content for calm

   Choose predictable shows with steady sound levels. Avoid sudden loud effects.

Build skills with tiny practice

Holidays are a chance to practice skills in real settings.

1. Greetings

   Practice hello and goodbye with one relative. Use a wave or a card if speech is hard.

   
   

2. Asking for help

   Teach one sentence. Help please. Reinforce any attempt.

   
   

3. Waiting

   Create a waiting bag with small toys. Measure thirty seconds today. Forty five seconds tomorrow.

   
   

4. Sharing

   Use a simple timer to trade turns. Narrate the swap. Your turn. My turn.

Safety checklist for outings

1. ID ready

   Use an ID bracelet or a card in a pocket with your phone number and any medical notes.

   
   

2. Photos

   Take a quick picture of your child’s outfit before you leave home.

   
   

3. Boundaries

   Teach a clear rule. Stay where you can see me. Practice at a quiet park first.

   
   

4. Emergency plan

   Save local non emergency numbers. PCABA keeps an Emergency Resources page you can review before you go. Providence Community

Data you can collect without stress

ABA uses data to make decisions. Keep this light during break.

1. Tally marks

   Note each time your child uses the break card.

   
   

2. Duration

   Time how long it takes to settle after a break.

   
   

3. Success notes

   Write one win per day. This is as valuable as any number.

Share these notes with your BCBA after the holiday. Tiny data points help tune the plan.

When routines still feel hard

If even small plans feel tough, extra support can help. Many families benefit from a short consult or a few focused sessions to build routines and visuals that fit their child. PCABA offers clinic based ABA therapy, family support, school based support, and consultation in Stafford. You can explore these services and contact the team to start a plan that works for your family.

After the holiday reset

1. Return to school rhythm two days early

   Shift bedtime and wake up back to school times in small steps.

2. Debrief with your child

   Use pictures or words to talk about what went well. Pick one skill to keep practicing.

3. Share wins with your team

   Send your notes to your BCBA and teachers. Celebrate progress and set one next goal.

Helpful links for families

Learn the basics about autism and find living with autism resources at the CDC. CDC

Explore research based information and caregiver resources at the National Institutes of Health. NIH Clinical Child Development

Get travel help for airport screening through TSA Cares and the dedicated phone line. Transportation Security Administration

Review food safety steps for turkey and holiday meals from the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. Food Safety and Inspection Service

Save the 988 Lifeline information for urgent mental health support. SAMHSA

Connect with Providence Community ABA services in Stafford.

See clinic based therapy. See school support. Request a consultation or contact the team.

Local notes from PCABA

Providence Community ABA serves families from Stafford and nearby areas. The clinic is on Garrisonville Road in Stafford. Families can reach the team by phone or through the contact page. You can also browse the Resource Center for reading lists and practical guides. Providence Community+1 ABA Thanksgiving routines

Quick printable checklist

1. Make a simple visual schedule for each day

2. Pack a calm kit with ear plugs and a favorite item

3. Rehearse a greeting and a break script

4. Use first then language to link effort and reward

5. Keep meals and sleep steady

6. Plan short breaks every hour during events

7. End on a win and praise effort

8. Share notes with your BCBA after the holiday