Our partners

CVS Caremark will be working with the following partners in various capacities


See all

Blog

Helping Families Navigate Holiday Gatherings

12/23/2011

The holiday season can be an exciting time for everyone, especially for children. Creating an inclusive environment that children of all abilities can enjoy is a wonderful testimony to what the holidays are all about. Whether you’re a parent of a child with a disability or a grandparent, aunt, cousin, or friend, being aware of the needs of the child, especially during holiday gatherings is key to helping them experience the joy of this special time of year.

 

To help make holiday gatherings a fun experience for the child in your life, here are a few things to consider:

 

·       Determine the type of environment expected at the holiday party (e.g. number of anticipated guests, number of other children at the party).

·       Consider what types of foods will be served and prepare the child’s favorite food, if possible.

·       Plan to have special games or activities that are appropriate for the child and/ or their favorite game.

·       Explain the child’s disability to people at the party that you’re meeting for the first time to help make a comfortable setting.

·       Pay close attention to how the child is reacting to the environment (e.g. crowds, noise level).

 

We all know the importance of inclusion and being aware of the needs of a child with disability will help ensure they have the same opportunity to share the wonderful experience of the holiday season with their family and friends. 

TAGS:
Dr. Patricia
Wright, Ph.D., MPH
Dr. Patricia Wright has a passion for education and advocacy and has dedicated her career to ensuring that individuals with autism are fully-included in society. Her personal mission is to offer the support that makes it possible for people with autism to lead meaningful, happy and productive lives. As Easter Seals National Director of Autism Services, Wright leads autism programs for Easter Seals, one of the nation’s largest provider of services for individuals with autism across the life span. Wright’s expertise as an educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst inform her individualized approach to creating effective treatment plans. She knows that early diagnosis and intervention offer the best outcomes but also is a proponent of appropriate treatment for anyone with autism at any age. Everyone has the ability to learn and develop skills. She is a member of the Organization for Autism Research Scientific Council and is currently serving on the Executive Committee for the Friends of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. Wright earned her Ph.D. in education from the University of Hawaii in 2006. She also has a master’s of public health from the University of Hawaii, and a master’s degree in special education from San Francisco State University. Wright earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Central Washington University.