We are officially in the Fall, the leaves are all changing and the days turn into nights so much earlier, shortening the amount of daylight we have to get things done. For children and adults with Autism, the changing of the seasons bring about its own special challenges. It is well established that people with Autism do not respond well to change and seasonal changes are no different!
While the seasons are more noticeable in North America, Canada or other parts of the world, it doesn’t matter where you live; even the subtle changes that occur in some places are enough to bring on the Winter Blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Unfortunately, this affects many Americans and is not unique to the special needs population.
In general Winter Blues/SAD, marks a change in mood or behavior which may include depression, social withdrawal and increased anxiety to name a few manifestations. However, especially for children on the Autism spectrum, Winter Blues describes the increase in severity of behaviors that happens at the same time the seasons (Fall/Winter) are changing. Click here https://www.psy-ed.com/wpblog/adhd-and-sad/ for additional information.
For some children, the fluctuations in behavior are like clockwork, so understanding and anticipating the changes as the darker seasons approach will help parents with managing the challenges. Below are some tips that may help you and your loved ones get through the Winter Blues. In fact, these tips may help anyone, not just people with Autism and/or developmental disabilities.
Tips
– Even though the season may dictate your activities, keep routines as close to pre-winter as possible
– Long walks in the park may not be practical, but a 5-10 minute activity outside (daily) may do the trick
– Exercise is great to fight off the Winter Blues, so plan on getting some physical activity on your schedule
– Stock up on Vitamin D and Omega 3 Fatty Acids, deficiency in these supplements may play a role in mood/behavior fluctuations
– Take a Sunny Vacation if possible
– Establish and maintain healthy sleeping habits, sleep goes a long way to improve mood and behavior
Any intervention to stave off the impact of the Winter Blues is going to be key to ensure your child or young adult stays balanced during the winter months.