When Christmas Bites, Literally

I took some screen shots of some of our most recent text conversations regarding Miss Kate. The season has been hard on her, and us and most devastatingly, her sister. There has been biting and hitting and screaming and all this before noon. There has been crying and exasperation and complete and devastating confusion. I'm trying to make sense of it. These are the things that I believe are making the holidays so hard for her to manage. 

School is done for two weeks. All that beautiful routine is gone. Around every corner is a surprise and predictions are nearly impossible for our girl.

There is excitement in the air. You silly people who think individuals with autism lack empathy when in reality they feel everything so intensely that it takes a physical and mental toll.

There is a promise of presents and Santa and Reindeer and magic and it's all so unpredictable it hurts.

There are expectations for behaviour in new and unknown situations and the pressure and stress of it all make her act out. 

When she acts out, we feel pressure and stress from onlookers, and she feels our angst like no other. 

There are sights, sounds and smells in the air that challenge her sensory issues daily.

Have I missed anything?

​What issues are your children experiencing this holiday season?