It can be tough to face the changes that holidays can bring when you are parenting tamariki and/or rangatahi who have FASD or other neurodivergencies.
Others are looking forward to days of reading, sharing kai, catching up with whānau and friends, travelling long distances and sleeping in. However, as caregivers and parents, we know that endless days with little structure or routine, and with the potential for multiple changes of plans can be triggering for those with FASD, whether young or older.
To add to stress levels, the symptoms of overwhelm can be alarming for whānau members and friends who do not understand this behavioural symptoms of this hidden disability, and may sometimes lay their judgement at your over-burdened feet!
* Click here to access a fantastic podcast episode from the wonderful Eileen Devine – 'Helping Extended Family Understand Your Neurodivergent Child' for suggestions on ways to manage the tricky dynamic of helping extended family gain awareness of brain-first parenting.
• Try and communicate plans and FASD information with whanau/friends ahead of time.
• Sometimes its easier to decline an invitation or to take turns if you are in a parenting partnership.
• Create an exit plan ahead of time so if things become too stressful, everyone knows what the plan is.
• Stay 'in relationship' i.e. keep a connection with your FASDling, so they know you have their back. Keeping your loyalties attuned to them helps them they know they can trust you.
This downloadable booklet put together by our friends at NOFASD in Australia is fantastic. With advice on everything from leaving pets behind to travelling by plane, car, train or boat it's a one-stop shop for helping whānau to think ahead and plan for every eventuality. School camps are covered, too.
Click here to read or download and print.
You can buy a printed hardcopy of this book for $A7.50 here.
If your holiday plans will be taking you through busy, loud, stressful airports, it may be worthwhile to get a 'Hidden Disability' sunflower lanyard. Wearing one of these will let staff at over 300 participating airports around the world know that you or your tamaiti / child with FASD might need extra help, understanding, or just a bit more time.
If you're travelling throughout New Zealand, the airports at Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Dunedin, and Invercargill have all adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. Prior to travel, you can request a free lanyard from the airport company via the links above, and you can collect it at the airport info desk to keep and use on future trips.
Find out more here on the Air NZ website.
Find out more here on the global Hidden Disabilities website.
• IHC Media have an online platform for people to join weekly live events such as dance, art, yoga or drumming workshops, as well as downloadable colouring sheets and cooking videos for simple treats (look under the 'Browse' tab). A fantastic initiative. Click here to check it out.
• Check out this great blog from NOFASD in Australia, with some strategies around creating a routine, downtimes, exercise and ongoing creative play.
• There's a fantastic crafts ideas page here with loads of ideas for kids of all ages, using items you're likely to have at home.
• Scavenger hunts! This page has a brilliant list of no less than 35 easy, printable scavenger hunt lists for kids – inside, outside, in nature, in the neighbourhood, bugs, colours, numbers... the list goes on.
Holidays can often be a great time for caregivers to remind themselves of ways to help everyone keep their cool. Check out our quick strategy refresher to skill up now!
Summarised by Anna Gundesen, our FASD Navigator in Tāmaki Makaurau, who has a teenager with FASD. References used: Fascets NB Model, Brain First Parenting, Dr Mona Delahooke, Nate Sheets.
Click here for a downloadable A4 version of this pānui.
Click here for an expanded text version of this pānui.
* Don't forget to go back to your FASD Handbook to refresh your skills on a regular basis (see below).
Don't have your Handbook yet? When you become a member of FASD-CAN as a caregiver, you'll receive a hardcopy in the post for FREE. (If you're a professional, you can buy one online via the link above.)
On page 13, 27, 34, 62, 72 are some lists and graphics of accommodations and strategies that might be helpful to use with whānau members.
