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Educational blogs for parents and professionals
Navigating the Holiday Hustle and Stress: Supporting Children with ASD and Sensory Needs Through Music and More
The holiday season can be a whirlwind of activities, lights, and sounds, which can be overwhelming for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other sensory needs. However, with the right strategies and resources, parents can help their children navigate these busy times with confidence and joy. Here are some tips, including music-based resources, to prepare for the holiday festivities:
1. Create a Visual Schedule
Visual schedules can be a powerful tool for children with ASD. They provide a clear and predictable structure, helping children understand what to expect. Use pictures or symbols to represent different events and activities, and review the schedule together each day.
2. Incorporate Music
Music therapy is a wonderful way to help children with ASD manage stress and sensory overload. At Mewsic Moves, we offer tailored music therapy sessions that can be particularly beneficial during the holiday season. Consider incorporating music into your daily routine, such as playing calming tunes during transitions or engaging in musical activities to express emotions and/or provide tools to help your child to distract.
At Mewsic Moves, we curate themed playlists on our Spotify channel titled "Harmony for All: With Empowering Tunes." These playlists are designed to ease the stress of searching for the perfect song or playlist, catering to the specific emotional needs of all ages.
We encourage you to explore the various tracks and find which ones resonate best with you or your little ones. It’s important to personalize the experience, as music can evoke different feelings and memories for everyone. Take the time to listen together, discussing which melodies spark joy or help in moments of overwhelm. We highly recommend our playlist “Calm and Focus” to start.
3. Designate a Quiet Space
Amidst the holiday chaos, having a designated quiet space can provide a much-needed retreat for children with ASD and sensory needs. Equip this area with noise-canceling headphones, favorite toys, or calming music to help your child decompress when needed.
4. Practice Social Stories
Social stories are brief narratives that assist children in understanding social situations, expectations and what to do in the event of distress or uncertainty. Create stories about upcoming holiday events, like family gatherings or visits to Santa, to prepare your child for what they may experience. At Mewsic Moves, we use visuals from clip art or real photos to make these stories more realistic, helping children visualize and familiarize themselves with the events, people, or places.
5. Engage in Musical Activities at Home
Music can be a comforting and engaging activity for children with ASD and sensory needs. Incorporate simple musical games like rhythm imitation or singing familiar songs to help your child connect, communicate and feel safe during the holiday events. Establish a musical routine to prepare your child for various events and consider returning to a music activity at home to help them settle and distract from any challenging experiences. Singing, movement, drumming, and rhythm can reduce anxiety and stress. At Mewsic Moves, we offer music-based social skills groups for all ages to support neurodiverse individuals in finding effective strategies and practicing social expectations through music.
Check out some of our supports here.
6. Plan Sensory-Friendly Outings
Look for sensory-friendly events in your community, such as quiet hours at local museums or holiday events designed for neurodiverse children. These outings can provide enjoyable experiences without overwhelming sensory input and make for a more memorable and enjoyable family holiday event. Check out this link to find sensory-friendly events throughout LA for the upcoming holiday events.
7. Communicate with Family and Friends
Inform family and friends about your child's needs and preferences, sharing effective strategies for support during gatherings. While educating the public can be challenging, especially when parents face negative reactions to their child's distress, it's important to prioritize your child's needs. Some people may understand, while others may not—this is their issue, not yours! We are also working on a new article: Supporting Parents of Neurodiverse Children: A Guide to Patience and Compassion. Will be released soon, stay tuned!
8. Utilize Online Resources
Many online resources support parents and children with ASD. Websites like Autism Speaks , Autism Resource Project and Fun and Functional offer helpful tips, education, resources and community support. At Mewsic Moves we offer convenient virtual music therapy sessions and FREE events and resources for parents and other paraprofessionals. We would love to have you at our future FREE events. Sign up for FREE HERE
9. Take Time for Yourself! Take a Break!
While it may seem simple, managing a child's extreme panic and anxiety can be quite challenging. As a marriage and family therapist, I emphasize the importance of parents prioritizing self-care to regulate their own emotions, as it's easy to absorb their child's energy and feel as panic and frustrated as they are. Engaging in daily mindfulness practices, taking walks, and other self-care activities can help prepare you to face the difficult challenges that may arise during the holidays.
With thoughtful preparation and the right resources, the holiday season can be an enjoyable and enriching time for children with sensory needs, ASD and their families. By incorporating the therapeutic and calming elements of music and other supportive strategies, you can help your child thrive amidst the holiday hustle.
We are here to help you and your family enjoy the holidays. If you need extra support or would like your loved one to benefit from music therapy for regulation strategies and more, we offer a FREE 15-minute consultation. Our services are available throughout Los Angeles in Santa Monica, Torrance, Long Beach, Glendale, and online!
If you are a parent and need additional support or need some community support we also offer FREE parent resources and events and would love to support you in any way we can. Click here to sign up for FREE parent events/support.
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit Mewsic Moves or call 1-833-MEWSIC-1.
Celebrating National Kids Music Day with Mewsic Moves: A Musical Journey for All Abilities
As we celebrate National Kids Music Day, Mewsic Moves is thrilled to share the transformative power of music therapy for children of all abilities. This special day highlights how music can be a vital tool for learning, development, and emotional well-being. At Mewsic Moves, we are dedicated to using music therapy to support children with various disabilities, helping them thrive in a nurturing and creative environment.
The Power of Music Therapy
Music therapy is a dynamic and evidence-based practice that harnesses the power of music to address a wide range of developmental needs. For children with disabilities, music therapy offers a unique way to engage, educate, and empower. Our approach at Mewsic Moves focuses on enhancing skills such as movement, memory, emotional regulation, social skills, motor skills, education, speech, and communication.
Mewsic Moves Celebrates Kids Music Day!
Click on the image to listen to our playlist for all abilities.
Harmony for All: With Empowering Tunes
Curated by Mewsic Moves’ music therapy team.
To celebrate National Kids Music Day, we've curated a special Spotify playlist designed to support children with various disabilities. Click the image above to listen to our playlist. This therapeutic playlist combines fun and educational songs that promote growth and development in key areas:
"The Wheels on the Bus" - Encourages movement and motor skills through interactive actions.
"Baby Beluga" by Raffi - Enhances memory and education with a focus on marine life.
"If You're Happy and You Know It" - Promotes emotional regulation and expression through physical activity.
"The ABC Song" - Reinforces alphabet learning and memory retention.
"Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" - Provides relaxation and stimulates imagination.
"Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" - Develops body awareness and coordination.
"A Whole New World" from Aladdin - Inspires imagination and exploration.
"Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King - Encourages positive thinking and stress relief.
"Old MacDonald Had a Farm" - Supports speech and communication through vocalization.
"B-I-N-G-O" - Promotes memory and social skills in group settings.
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" - Offers rhythm and relaxation.
"Five Little Ducks" - Reinforces counting skills and memory.
"Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles - Uplifts mood and enhances emotional well-being.
"Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid - Encourages exploration and imagination.
"I Can Sing a Rainbow" - Teaches colors and enhances speech.
Creating Original Songs for Therapy
At Mewsic Moves, we pride ourselves on creating original songs for therapy tailored to the unique needs of each child. Our therapists work closely with children to compose personalized music that resonates with their individual experiences and goals. These original compositions are crafted to support therapeutic objectives, whether it's improving motor skills, enhancing communication, or fostering emotional expression.
Our original songs are more than just melodies; they are tools for connection and growth. By involving children in the creative process, we empower them to explore their creativity and express themselves in new and meaningful ways. This personalized approach ensures that each therapy session is both engaging and effective.
Check Out Mewsic Moves Original Songs Here
Check Out Mewsic Moves Original Downloadable Interventions Here
Celebrating National Kids Music Day with Mewsic Moves
As we celebrate National Kids Music Day, we invite you to join us in recognizing the incredible impact of music therapy. Whether through our curated playlist or the creation of original songs, Mewsic Moves is committed to making music therapy accessible and beneficial for all children. Together, let's make this day a celebration of music, creativity, and the limitless potential of every child.
Music is an essential part of children’s (and our) everyday life, and at Mewsic Moves, we believe it has the power to transform lives. Let's continue to share the gift of music and create a harmonious future for children of all abilities.
Happy National Kids Music Day!
Feel free to share this blog post with your community, and let's spread the joy of music together. If you have any ideas or themes you'd like us to explore we’d love to hear from you.
Discover the Transformative Power of Music Therapy for Your Child!
Are you interested in exploring how music therapy can support your child's unique needs and goals? At Mewsic Moves, we offer a FREE 15-minute consultation to discuss how our personalized music therapy programs can make a difference in your child's life.
Our skilled board-certified music therapists will work closely with you to create an individualized music therapy plan tailored to your child's specific developmental needs and objectives. Whether it's enhancing communication, improving motor skills, or fostering emotional expression, we're here to help your child thrive in a nurturing, fun and creative environment.
Don't miss this opportunity to unlock your child's potential through the power of music. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation, and let's embark on a musical journey together!
Click here to schedule your FREE Consultation
We look forward to supporting you and your family!