The holiday season is a time of joy, family, and togetherness—a perfect opportunity to take a step back from the busyness of life and focus on quality family time. What better way to connect with your children than through the magic of reading? For parents, especially those with children on the Autism Spectrum, reading during the holidays can be a meaningful way to bond while supporting developmental growth.

Reading is not just about discovering words but about developing connections, imagination, and growth. For children with ASD, this shared activity brings unique benefits, including structure, comfort, and a gentle way to explore sensory experiences and social behavior. 

Benefits of Reading to Children with ASD:

  • Improves Communication SkillsReading aloud to your child creates a safe, nurturing space to explore language. Children with ASD often process language differently, and reading together offers a chance to introduce new vocabulary and sentence structures in an engaging and non-pressured way.  
  • Encourages Emotional ConnectionBooks often include relatable characters or situations that children can connect with as they read. This encourages empathy and helps children understand emotions—a skill that can be especially difficult for kids with ASD.  
  • Promotes Structure and RoutineMany children with ASD thrive on routines and establishing a scheduled reading time during the holidays can provide structure amid the excitement of the season.  
  • Stimulates Sensory LearningBooks with tactile elements, colorful illustrations, or interactive features are ideal for capturing a child’s attention, especially if they have sensory sensitivities. These tools can address sensory behavior in a fun, engaging way.  
  • Builds Trust and Strengthens BondsThe act of sitting down and sharing a story is a quiet but powerful way to connect with your child. It demonstrates love, attention, and understanding while building trust.

6 Strategies to Make Holiday Reading Special

  1. Choose Stories That Resonate – Pick books with themes of family, kindness, or holiday traditions. Books with simple storylines and clear visuals are especially effective. Some examples include titles with repetition, rhyming patterns, or sensory-friendly components.  
  1. Set the Scene – Create a cozy reading corner with soft lighting, blankets, and calming scents to make the experience welcoming. Reducing sensory distractions will help your child enjoy the moment more fully.  
  1. Make Reading Interactive – Engage your child by asking questions about the story, pointing to pictures, or encouraging them to mimic sounds or actions. This turns story time into a sensory-rich learning experience tailored to their abilities.  
  1. Establish Consistency – Whether it is every evening before bed or a quiet morning before the day’s festivities begin, building a consistent reading routine makes the activity something your child can look forward to.  
  1. Get Creative with Book Choices – For children who may not sit still for traditional books, audiobooks or interactive e-books can offer a wonderful alternative. These tools cater to different attention spans while maintaining the benefits of storytelling.  
  1. Celebrate Progress – Take note of moments when your child engages with characters, mimics sounds, or asks questions. These are small but impactful milestones in their learning and emotional development.

Books for the Holiday Season

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats  

This classic children’s book follows Peter as he explores his neighborhood after the first snowfall of the season. The story is simple and relatable, making it perfect for young readers. Its beautiful illustrations and easy-to-follow narrative provide a calming experience that can be both entertaining and educational.  

Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson  

Join Bear and his friends as they help him stay awake to experience the magic of Christmas. The rhythmic, rhyming text is engaging and soothing, making it an excellent read-aloud choice. With its message of kindness and generosity, this is the perfect story to inspire holiday cheer while reinforcing positive social values

Dream Snow by Eric Carle

“Dream Snow” tells the tale of a farmer who dreams of snow and prepares a holiday surprise for his animals. It’s an excellent choice for introducing sensory learning while maintaining a festive, comforting atmosphere.  

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

A lighthearted and fun story, “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” follows the whimsical chain of events that unfold when a mouse is given a cookie. The repetitive storyline helps children anticipate what happens next, which can be particularly engaging and rewarding for readers with ASD. Its humor and relatability make it an all-time favorite for families everywhere. 

The benefits of reading to children, especially those with diverse learning needs such as ASD, extend far beyond literacy. Reading fosters an environment of trust, joy, and understanding. It celebrates the child’s interests and encourages exploration of the power of language. Most importantly, reading nurtures the bond you share—a bond that transcends words. 

Start small. Start tonight. Choose a favorite book, settle into a comfortable spot, and watch as those small, magical moments unfold between you and your child. This holiday season, give your child the gift of stories and shared moments. Remember, every page turned together creates a foundation for growth, understanding, and lasting memories.

Learn More About My Programs

Blue Bird Day is a rotational therapy program structured like a preschool or kindergarten, but instead of teachers all our staff are therapists! This program is designed to foster socialization, sensory regulation, and learning for children ages 2-7 and helps provide children the tools they need to succeed in a traditional classroom.

Eyas Landing is an outpatient therapy clinic that provides services for children ages 0-21. Our multidisciplinary team of therapists provide ABA, developmental, occupational, physical, speech, nutrition and feeding therapy along with early intervention, social work, counseling, and neuropsychological testing at our West Loop clinic, in-home, at school, and virtually.

Merlin Day Academy is a therapeutic day school for children ages 6-14. Our proprietary model utilizes daily therapeutic and educational rotations to support children’s growth, learning, and their transition into the least restrictive environment possible.

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!