Making the Holidays Accessible and Enjoyable for People with Sensory Challenges

 The holidays are here, and many people have already started celebrating. However, this time of year can be challenging and stressful for people with sensory issues. People with autism and other developmental disabilities often do not experience physical environments the same way neurotypical people do. Bright lights, lighting changes, temperature swings, loud noises, music, crowds, rapid movements, unfamiliar smells and textures can overwhelm the senses and cause behavioral challenges.   

“Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) would like to raise awareness and educate the public about ways to help make the holidays more enjoyable and less stressful for people impacted by sensory issues, as well as their families and loved ones. A little awareness, patience and compassion can go a long way in supporting inclusive holiday festivities,” said Dr. Richard Timo, Director of Behavioral Health Services at DDI. 

For over 60 years, DDI has provided comprehensive care and services for children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Decades of research, experience and innovation have made DDI a respected organization in the field, particularly as it relates to people who have the most complex and challenging behaviors.   

To raise awareness and help those with sensory challenges, DDI is sharing ways the public, business owners and workers can make the holidays more enjoyable for all.  

Understand Schedules and Routines  

Scheduling and routines are essential for many individuals on the autism spectrum and those with sensory challenges. Discuss with caregivers the individual’s event schedule and activities ahead of time. It is essential not to over-extend or create hectic environments.  Provide break times, quiet periods and even a quiet sensory-calming room if possible.    

Sensory Overload  

Loud sounds or music can be disconcerting and problematic for people with sensory issues. Be aware of this and lower the music volume, don’t pop balloons or confetti poppers. Bright or blinking lights can also have the same negative impact. Rapid temperature changes are uncomfortable for many individuals; this can be much more dramatic for people with sensitivities. Keeping temperatures consistent and comfortable is recommended in homes or places of business.  

Interactions  

Familiarity is important for people with autism. Unfamiliar people and pets should be introduced slowly and calmly. For those who are uncertain, watch for cues from parents or caregivers.  

Large or active crowds or groups can also create a complex environment. Therefore, options should be offered to people with sensory challenges that will limit or prevent exposure to large groups or closely packed groups of people.  

Meals and Food  

Having access to proper and familiar foods is helpful. New smells and odors can be overwhelming. Preparing favorite foods beforehand and bringing everyday utensils and dishes can reduce stress and anxiety. Holiday foods such as candy and cookies are full of sugar. When eaten, even in small quantities, challenging behaviors can arise. Always check with parents and caregivers before offering food.  

Holiday Parties and Festivities  

Holiday parties are a common part of life and the season. Party hosts should take the time to speak with and understand their guests’ needs. Fellow party guests can also make themselves aware of these needs and how to interact with people who are sensory sensitive.  

Setting aside areas that can be used for sensory breaks can provide much-needed respite. Identify or offer a quiet, safe space that can be used as a calming area. Providing places where short, 10-minute breaks between activities helps to reset the body’s nervous system. 

Gifts  

Gifts are part of holiday traditions. However, when choosing a gift, mainly clothing, be aware that textures of new and different styles and materials may be uncomfortable and just not work for people with sensitivities. In addition, toys with lights, loud music or sounds should be carefully introduced or avoided entirely. You can ask parents and caregivers which gifts would be most appropriate and appreciated.   

Special Events and Santa Claus Visits  

Many holiday attractions and events now offer low-intensity sensory accommodations. These include sensitive Santa, where visits are done in small groups and quiet settings. Some holiday light shows will dim lights or stop lights from blinking. Business owners can learn from these examples and offer events and times that accommodate people with special needs. 

Whether you are a shopper, business owner, restaurant patron, waitress, cashier or store greeter, take a few minutes to prepare and think about how you will interact with people with sensory or related challenges.    

Choosing consideration, compassion and appropriate action will help spread joy this holiday season. Choosing kindness, awareness and acceptance as new years resolutions will help spread that joy all year round. 

About Developmental Disabilities Institute 

For more than 60 years, Developmental Disabilities Institute (DDI) has provided compassionate personal care to meet the emotional, educational, therapeutic, and vocational needs of children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Founded by parents of children with developmental disabilities, DDI has grown into a dynamic, non-profit, multi-site agency serving more than 1600 children and adults in our care each day. The parental influence continues with several of our board members being mothers and fathers of the people we serve. DDI recognizes that while each person in our care has unique needs, each person also deserves every opportunity to live a rich and meaningful life. Over six decades, we have built a strong reputation for providing exceptional services for all people in our programs, and in particular those who present with the most significant challenges. With a workforce made up of people inspired by purpose ®, DDI provides the highest standards of individualized services from expertly trained, caring, and competent staff. For more information, visit www.ddiny.org.    

"HOG" Motorcycle Club Mounts 4th Annual Ride For Ronald McDonald House

New Hyde Park, NY (December 10, 2022) - Approximately 200 members of the Suffolk County “HOG” (Harley Owners Group)

Motorcycle Ride to bring toys and cheer to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House here today. 

The ride delivered dozens of toys that were given out by Santa Claus and raised more than $6,000 for the construction of a new Ronald McDonald House to be located in Suffolk County to serve families there. 

The event is the biggest of the year for the Suffolk County HOG group. 

“These kids in the hospital are very sick and their families are under a lot of stress,” said Nicholas Nigro, Organizer of the Annual HOG ride. “They should be able to celebrate for a day. If it brings a smile to their face for one day, that’s all we want to do.” 

The event started with a gathering of the riders at the Suffolk County Harley Davidson, located at 4020 Sunrise Hwy, Oakdale, NY 11769. Members packed the toys on a three-wheeled motorcycle “sleigh” and in a group of Jeeps and the convoy of riders departed at approximately 11 a.m. The group traveled along Sunrise Highway and Ocean Parkway, with a scenic view of the beach, before turning north toward the Ronald McDonald House, located at 267-07 76th Ave, Queens, NY 11040, arriving at approximately noon.  Riders disembarked and distributed toys to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. 

“Events like today put smiles on the faces of the families that stay here and its just so special,” said Matt Campo, CEO of RMHC NYM. “We will collect enough toys in the last 30 days of the year to last us all of next year. Every time a child comes back to their room there’s something waiting for them.” 

The Nissequogue River State Park Master Plan Is Available For Public Viewing

Nissequogue River State Park Draft Master Plan is available for viewing. The public is once again being called on to participate in its presentation December 13th.

A public meeting on the Draft Master Plan and DEIS will be hosted online Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will be recorded and made publicly available. During the meeting, a presentation will be made about the Plan and DEIS and presenters will be available to receive verbal comments after the presentation. Free registration in advance of the online meeting will be required in order to attend. To register, please fill out the registration with this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrc-Guqj8vH9Hf_nvXa8vUD3aW2IERh-Dm

Link to Master Plan:https://parks.ny.gov/documents/inside-our-agency/Masterplans/NSRP/NSRPDraftMasterPlan.pdf

On February 3, 2021, OPRHP hosted a virtual Public Information Meeting. Attendees viewed a presentation on site resources; were provided an overview of the planning process; and encouraged to share with OPRHP staff the issues, impacts, and alternatives they would like explored in the Master Plan.

A month-long public comment period followed the event, and a recreational needs assessment was conducted between February 3 - 17, 2021. More than 1,600 respondents, 76% of whom live within 10 miles of the park, participated in the assessment. Four virtual focus group meetings were hosted throughout March and April 2021 which enabled the public to participate in targeted discussions on ecology, active recreation, historic preservation, and programming at the site.

An additional public information session was hosted outside at NRSP on October 27, 2021.

This meeting, while not the final step in the process, is the culmination of two years of outreach to the public, listening to concerns and incorporating ideas.  ”Guiding principals were set at the outset of the process to ensure the development of the master plan meets the needs of the local community and aligns with the overarching mission of OPRHP “to provide safe and enjoyable recreational and interpretive opportunities for all New York State residents and visitors and to be responsible stewards of our valuable natural, historic and cultural resources.” (pg.7, Draft Master Plan for Nissequogue River State Park)

OPRHP encourages the public to participate in the online public meeting and welcomes all comments on the draft documents. An online version of the Draft Master Plan and DEIS is available at the following publicly accessible website: https://parks.ny.gov/inside-our-agency/master-plans.aspx. Non-digital copies of the documents can be obtained from the Agency Contacts listed below. The documents are also available for review at the Long Island Regional Office, 625 Belmont Ave, West Babylon, NY.

To participate you MUST pre-register.

FYI: The Average NY Man Spends 29 Minutes Getting Ready For A Night Out

Submitted by Tools of Men

Manscaping Minutes: The average New York man spends 29 minutes getting ready for a night out, reveals survey. 

• … and 1 in 5 pluck their eyebrows.
• 10% said they would be prepared to go into debt buying grooming products.
• Interactive map included showing how long men across the country spend grooming.

Times have changed. Only a few years ago, the idea of a man spending more than a few minutes on his grooming regime - a dab of deodorant, a squirt of hair gel - would have been laughable. But - some might say thankfully - attitudes have changed. Perhaps it’s the boom in social media, making it acceptable for people to portray themselves more and more on camera, or the rise in US reality shows. All this has required the average male to up his game, knowing that he might be compared to what others see on social media or TV - and encourage him to make the most of himself. 

Grooming advice website, Tools of Men, wanted to see how this trend has translated to American men, and polled 3,000 of them to find out just how long they spend getting ready for a night out. The results showed that the average New York man spends a not-insignificant 29 minutes getting ready (not including showering) - fairly long, we can all agree, considering they (mostly) won’t be applying make up or spending time drying long hair. But maybe they’re just enjoying the process of a little self care and pampering - after all, feeling good is an overall part of looking good, as they say.  The national average is 27 minutes.

Perhaps surprisingly, it is Delawarean men who take the longest preparing before a night out – a full 35 minutes on average! Conversely, Montanan men are less bothered about their appearance, spending only 10 minutes getting ready.

Interactive map showing how long it takes men in each state to get ready for a night out

The survey also found that men say that the element that takes up most time while getting ready for a night out is choosing their outfit (69%), doing their hair takes second (23%) while 8% said it is skin prepping - moisturizing, toning, shaving etc. Nearly a quarter of men (22%) confessed they actually pluck their eyebrows, while 10% said they would be prepared to get into debt buying grooming products such as razors, moisturizers, or teeth whitening products, which don’t come cheap. And in a sign that times really have changed, over 1 in 10 heterosexual men admit they take longer to get ready than their partner.

‘People’s views on male grooming have shifted significantly in recent years,’ says Adam Williams of Tools of Men. ‘Our survey shows that that men are actively looking after their appearance and enjoying taking care of it, which is very encouraging to see.’