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Helping Children on the Autism Spectrum Enjoy the Holidays

By: Jairin Dela Cruz, BCBA, LBA, DBH-C

The holidays can be a wonderful, exciting time of year. The sights, sounds, and festivities make it fun for everyone, but for children on the autism spectrum, holiday travel, changes in routines, and new places and people can be a lot to handle. Too much change, stimulation, or novelty can lead to stress and sensory overload. Understanding why the holidays can be hard and thinking ahead can help your child embrace the season with confidence.

Many children with autism thrive on predictable routines and schedules. When changes arise, anxiety can increase, and problem behaviors like meltdowns or withdrawal can occur. Holidays can also include loud noises, bright lights, and large crowds, which can be challenging. These aren’t “bad behaviors” on your child’s part; they are their best attempt to cope with new or overwhelming stimulation.

Lucky parents in Henderson, Las Vegas, and Reno, Nevada! At Best Buds ABA, we can provide local support to help your family enjoy the holidays with less stress and more confidence. To make things easier, our professional therapists have prepared a list of practical strategies to help your child feel calm, safe, and ready to embrace the season.

5 Strategies for a Calmer Holiday

  1. Keep Things Predictable. Use visual schedules that show activities with pictures, icons, or words. Review the plan each morning and talk through what will happen: Example: “First breakfast, then presents, then visit Grandma, then quiet time.” Visual schedules help children know what to expect and reduce anxiety (Dettmer et al., 2000; Knight et al., 2015).
  2. Practice Through Role-Play: Act out what might happen before an event or outing. This can include role-play to greet relatives, take turns opening presents, or ask for a break. You can use toys or dolls to role-play or just act it out together.
    • Role-play helps children anticipate and prepare for new situations.
    • Practice calm coping skills in a low-pressure environment.
    • Praise or reward efforts: “Great job asking for a turn!”
    • Practicing skills in a controlled environment leads to greater success in real life (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2020).
  3. Create a Calm Space. Holidays are exciting but can also be loud, busy, and overstimulating. Set aside a quiet space your child can go to feel calm and regulated: a separate room, a corner, or even the car. Include items that will help your child stay comfortable: headphones, fidget toys, sunglasses, or a favorite blanket or stuffed animal. Strategies like this can help children manage stress and participate in activities more comfortably (Baranek et al., 2002; Autism Speaks, 2023).
  4. Maintain Core Routines. Sticking to a familiar bedtime routine and mealtimes for sleeping, eating, and calming activities can help maintain a sense of normalcy. Keep the same favorite bedtime items or snacks available when traveling to make your chid feel secure. Maintaining consistent parts of your child’s routine can reduce stress and lead to improved behavior (Boyd et al., 2014).

Feeling overwhelmed or scared as you prepare for the holidays?

Families across Nevada, trust the devoted team at Best Buds ABA Therapy to provide personalized support for their children

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the science of teaching skills, reinforcing positive behaviors, and setting up structured, supportive environments.

ABA therapists can help your child enjoy holiday traditions with less stress and more confidence by teaching them to:

  • Follow new routines and schedules.
  • Communicate wants, needs, and asking for breaks.
  • Practice coping strategies in a safe setting.
  • Participate in activities with less stress.

With a little preparation and the right supports, children on the autism spectrum can enjoy family traditions and the fun of the season while learning valuable life skills that last far beyond the holidays.

Reach out today to make this season joyful and manageable for your family.

 

References

Autism Speaks. (2023). Sensory supports for children with autism. https:

//www.autismspeaks.org/sensory-support

Baranek, G. T., Foster, L. G., & Berkson, G. (2002). Sensory defensiveness in children with developmental disorders. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.56.1.50

•  Boyd, B. A., McDonough, S. G., & Bodfish, J. W. (2014). Evidence-based behavioral interventions for repetitive behaviors in autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44 (12), 3063–3076. https: //doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2149-4

•  Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.

•  Dettmer, S., Simpson, R. L., Myles, B. S., & Ganz, J. B. (2000). The use of visual supports with young children with autism. Journal of Early and Intensive Behavior Intervention, 1 (2), 93–107. https: //doi.org/10.1037/h0100277

Amy Naffa, MA, BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst & Licensed Behavior Analyst

Amy Naffa, MA, BCBA, LBA, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Analyst in Nevada who is passionate about helping children and families achieve meaningful, lasting progress through evidence-based ABA services.

With years of experience supporting individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, Amy has worked across home, school, and clinical settings. She is dedicated to building strong relationships with families, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and creating individualized programs that help each child reach their unique potential.

Amy earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Fresno Pacific University and her Master’s Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University. Her clinical approach emphasizes compassionate care, family partnership, and data-driven decision-making to promote meaningful and lasting outcomes.

Outside of work, Amy enjoys spending time with her husband, their three doodles, and their orange cat. She loves traveling, shopping, attending church, and making memories with family and friends.

Melissa Zuniga M.S. BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Melissa Zuniga is a bilingual Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) licensed in Nevada and Utah with experience in both education and behavioral health since 2006. Over the years, she had the opportunity to work in many different roles including direct therapist, teacher, RBT, behavior consultant, and BCBA, which has helped her develop a well-rounded and compassionate approach when supporting children and families. Melissa’s specialty is in early childhood intervention, with a focus on building communication, social, behavioral, and adaptive skills through individualized and developmentally appropriate support.

She is passionate about helping clients build communication, independence, emotional regulation, social, and daily living skills across home, school, clinic, and community settings.
Melissa especially values working closely with families and creating individualized, culturally responsive care that feels supportive, practical, and meaningful for each child’s unique needs.

Patrick Gray, MA, CAS, BCBA

Clinical Director

Patrick is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked in clinical applied behavior analysis for over eight years. He completed his Masters and Certificate of Advanced Study in school psychology at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, practicing for two years before getting his BCBA credential in 2017 through the University of Colorado at Denver. Patrick has worked with children with disabilities since 2011, and has specialized in social skills training, school-based collaboration, and serving individuals impacted by severe behavior. He is particularly proud of his membership in COABA and his work in the Public Policy Committee, specifically the Medical Necessity in Schools Action Committee. Outside of work, you can find him attending concerts, doing laps in a pool, or reading.

Candice Ashley "Candi" Delto-Alambatin M.S., BCBA, LBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Candi is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) dedicated to supporting children and families through compassionate, evidence-based care. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology, where she gained experience supporting young women impacted by domestic violence and sexual assault. Candi initially entered the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) while pursuing a different career path. However, through her work with children and families, she discovered a strong passion for creating meaningful, lasting change through behavioral support. This led her to further her education and earn a Master of Science in Psychology with a specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Since 2017, Candi has worked with individuals ages 2 through 21 with autism and related developmental needs, including ADHD, ODD, OCD, Down syndrome, Anxiety, Epilepsy, and other behavioral and developmental differences in Nevada. She has provided services across telehealth (in Colorado and Maryland), home, clinic, school, and community-based settings, allowing her to support families in a wide range of environments. Candi is passionate about helping individuals develop functional, meaningful skills that increase independence and improve quality of life. Her clinical approach focuses on identifying the underlying function of behavior and implementing individualized, data-driven interventions designed to support long-term success.

She is known for balancing empathy with structure, ensuring that care is both compassionate and effective. Candi prioritizes collaboration with caregivers and interdisciplinary teams to promote consistency across environments and meaningful progress over time. She is deeply committed to parent training and caregiver support, equipping families with practical strategies they can confidently implement in their daily lives. As a BCBA, Candi integrates principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into her clinical approach, supporting individuals and caregivers in building psychological flexibility, strengthening values-based decision making, and developing adaptive coping strategies. She strives to create a supportive and respectful therapeutic environment for everyone involved, including clients, families, behavior technicians, and colleagues. She approaches her work with cultural sensitivity, professionalism, and a genuine respect for the unique experiences of each individual she serves. Her goal is to provide high-quality care that leads to meaningful, sustainable outcomes for every individual and family.

Brittany Archuleta

Operations Manager

Brittany Archuleta began her journey in ABA over six years ago as an RBT, working directly with children and seeing firsthand the incredible impact individualized support can have on their lives. As she grew in her career, Brittany discovered a passion not only for helping children succeed but also for supporting the teams and systems that make that care possible. Today, in her leadership and operations role, she is dedicated to building strong, compassionate teams and creating an environment where every child and family feels supported, empowered, and celebrated. Brittany believes that meaningful connections, thoughtful guidance, and a commitment to growth are at the heart of truly transformative ABA care.

Jairin Dela Cruz, BCBA, LBA, DBH-C

Clinical Director

Jairin is a passionate advocate for individuals and families in the autism community, bringing a unique blend of medical knowledge, behavioral expertise, and cultural understanding to her work. She earned her Doctorate in Medicine and a bachelor’s degree in psychology in the Philippines and later became certified by the Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates in the U.S..

Her journey shifted when a family member was diagnosed with autism, inspiring her to dedicate her life to supporting individuals and families through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Jairin studied ABA at the Florida Institute of Technology and became a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst in 2015, building a strong foundation for her evidence-based practice. For over a decade, she has helped individuals with developmental or behavioral challenges, collaborating with parents, caregivers, and behavior technicians to foster supportive environments where every individual can reach their fullest potential. She also guides a team of BCBAs and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), helping them provide compassionate, high-quality care. Deeply committed to community service, Jairin volunteers at autism awareness events, family resource programs, and outreach initiatives, always approaching her work with empathy, cultural sensitivity, and profound respect for the diverse families she serves.

Today, as a Licensed Behavior Analyst in Nevada and a doctoral candidate in behavioral health, Jairin focuses on delivering ABA interventions that blend her clinical expertise with ongoing research to help individuals thrive. Her mission is to provide care that is compassionate, evidence-based, and partner closely with families, and guide her team to ensure every individual receives the support they need to reach their fullest potential.