Fall 2022 Newsletter

Halloween Activities

Halloween is inevitably a celebration guaranteed with fun-filled excitement and engaging activities, such as trick or treating and arts and crafts. Listed below are some sensory-friendly Halloween festivities for those with autism.

Go here to make these activities and explore more:
American Autism Association

Thanksgiving Activities

Thanksgiving is the occasion we express our gratitude, celebrate our blessings, and enjoy the company of our loved ones. As you spend time with your family, here are some Thanksgiving-themed sensory activities you can do during the holiday:

Go here to make these activities and explore more:
Little Bins Little Hands

Begin Now to Prepare for Christmas & Chanukah

If you are hosting family gatherings for the holidays, you can plan ahead to ensure your grandchild and all of your guests will feel welcome in a safe environment. Tips on how to prepare your home, plan activities and choose appropriate gifts (some cost-free) can be found on GAN‘s website here.

The best gift you can give to your grandchild’s parents is to acknowledge every positive improvement that you observe in your grandchild and to praise (and never question) their efforts.

If you are hosting a holiday event, plan ahead to make your family and home comfortable. You may need to modify some family traditions to make everyone feel at ease.

• Prepare guests, especially children, in advance, to be inclusive and to welcome the parents and their children with autism.
• Plan activities that are not noisy or overstimulating: Modify lighting, sounds and the environment to be “sensory friendly” for the guests with autism.
• Provide a comfortable, quiet area for respite away from noise and visual stimulation where the child can go to be with their favorite toys or crafts.  You can simply place a blanket over a table to create a “private” space where a child can lie underneath.
• Ask about special diets before the holiday. If you cannot prepare the special food, request that the parents bring the meal(s) to your home.

Most of our best “Tips and Suggestions” come from other grandparents. We welcome you to submit your advice and success stories to info@ganinfo.org

Educational Apps

Speech Blubs 2

Speech Blubs 2 is a therapist-approved app intended to improve one’s speech. Language Therapy for Kids is a great resource to enhance a child’s communication abilities. Children with autism will stimulate their language skills through numerous speech-based activities.

Apple +Android

Otsimo

Otsimo provides over 50 games focusing on speech therapy. The app is modeled after augmentative and alternative communication systems (ACC) and applied behavioral analysis (ABA). Additionally, parents can track their child’s progress through the app’s reports.

Apple + Android

Make room for holiday gifts. Now is the perfect time to sort through cupboards, drawers and closets. Most of us have collectibles and other worthwhile items that our children do not want. Donations to the Grandparent Autism Network are tax-deductible. Create more space for all the fabulous things that you love AND benefit grandparents and their families affected by autism.

All donated items are sold through our e-Bay for Charity store, raising money to support our programs, services and websites. We welcome donated goods such as:

• New unwanted gifts
• Collectibles, Home Accessories, Craft Items
• New Clothing, Shoes and Handbags
• Fine, Vintage and Costume Jewelry
• Mobile Phones, Tablets and Laptops

You can mail or drop off donations for GAN at the store located at 23785 El Toro Road, #103, Lake Forest, CA. Contact us at info@ganinfo.org for possible pickup options in Orange County, CA and for tax-donation forms.

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Tax ID# 20-5230144

The members of the GAN Board of Directors and Advisory Board wish you good health, happiness and peace at the holidays and in 2023!