Parents of autistic children may want to take a few steps to prepare their kids for the holidays

By Staff Writer

Families who have children with autism can experience challenges during the holidays. This time of year often brings parties, seasonal foods and a break from routines, which can be disruptive to an autistic child.

In order to help families who have been affected by this condition, Rethink Autism - an educational company that produces online treatment tools for parents and professionals - is offering online tips to help families enjoy the holidays.

For example, properly preparing autistic children for a party by showing them pictures of family members, can help everyone feel less stressed in social situations. In addition, reviewing appropriate behavior during family traditions, such as saying thank you after opening presents, can make the child feel more comfortable.

Also, if families sing or play games, teaching the child beforehand can help them engage with other people.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism spectrum disorders are reported to occur in all racial, ethnic and socioeconomic groups, yet are on average four to five times more likely to occur in boys than in girls.