The holidays bring joy, excitement, and special traditions — but they also bring noise, crowds, disrupted routines, and emotional overload. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shares compassionate, practical strategies to help both parents and children stay regulated during the busiest season of the year.

You’ll learn:

• The early signs of sensory overload and emotional burnout

• How to create sensory-friendly and emotionally safe spaces at home

• The power of co-regulation — and how your calm becomes your child’s anchor

• Practical tools that support nervous system regulation for all ages

• Ways parents can manage their own stress so they can show up with patience and presence
  

Dominique explores the heart of holiday regulation, reminding parents that their job isn’t to prevent every meltdown, but to stay connected through them.

Quick Takeaway: You don’t have to fix every meltdown — just stay connected through it.

Download your Holiday Calm Guide, part of the Advent Giveaway Series, at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #HolidayStress #CoRegulation #ParentAdvocacy #AutismParenting #ADHDFamily #SensorySupport #EmotionalRegulation #TheWoodlandsTX

Holiday events often bring excitement — but they can also bring anxiety, especially for children who thrive on structure and predictability. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, explains how social stories can help children manage stress, understand expectations, and feel confident during seasonal changes.

You’ll learn:

• What social stories are and where the idea originated

• Why they’re so effective for reducing anxiety and sensory overload

• How visuals + predictable sequences help prepare kids for new experiences

• A simple step-by-step method for writing your own social story

• A real example you can use for holiday gatherings or school events

• Quick tips for reading the story, reinforcing coping strategies, and supporting your child
  

💡 Quick Takeaway: Social stories don’t remove challenges — they build confidence through practice and predictability.

Download your free social stories from the Advent Giveaway Series at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #SocialStories #HolidayAnxiety #AutismParenting #ADHDFamily #SpecialEducationSupport #ParentAdvocacy #SensoryFriendlyHolidays #TheWoodlandsTX

The holiday season is magical — but for many children with sensory sensitivities, autism, or ADHD, it can also be overwhelming. In this week’s episode of The Whole Child Advocate, Dominique McLellan, BCASE, shares practical strategies to help families create joyful, predictable, and sensory-friendly celebrations all season long.

You’ll learn:

• Common holiday sensory triggers (lights, noise, crowds, new routines)

• How to prepare your child using visual schedules, social stories, and sensory planning

• Simple tools to use during family gatherings and travel

• The power of predictable routines and quiet spaces

• Why being proactive doesn’t make you “overprotective”—it makes you prepared

Dominique also shares calming, real-world tips to help your child feel secure, supported, and understood during this exciting time of year.

💡 Quick Takeaway: Your calm presence is the best gift your child can receive this season.

Download your free Holiday Sensory Checklist from the Advent Giveaway Series at: www.wholechildadvocacy.com

#WholeChildAdvocate #SensoryFriendly #HolidaysWithKids #AutismParenting #ADHDFamily #SpecialEducationSupport #ParentAdvocacy #SensoryProcessing #HolidayStress #TheWoodlandsTX