Easter with Autism: Tips for a Weekend That Works for Your Family
Pastel everything. Loud family dinners. Sudden sugar crashes. Welcome to Easter weekend.
While some families are all about the egg hunts and big brunches, for autistic individuals, holidays like Easter can be a sensory overload waiting to happen. The good news? You don’t have to do it the “traditional” way for it to be meaningful. In fact, the best Easter is one where your autistic loved one feels safe, supported, and included—no matter what that looks like.
Let’s talk about how to make that happen.
1. Predictability Over Surprise
We love a good plot twist in a movie. In real life? Not so much.
Autistic kids (and adults) often thrive on routines and predictability. So while surprises might feel “fun” to some, they can be stressful or even overwhelming to others.
💡 Try this instead:
Use a visual schedule or talk through the day’s plan ahead of time.
If an egg hunt is on the calendar, walk through where it will be, how long it’ll last, and what’s expected.
Preview the guest list if you’re visiting family—or hosting.
2. The Easter Bunny Doesn’t Need to Be Loud
Let’s be real: oversized mascots can be kind of terrifying. And group photos with a stranger in a furry costume? That’s not everyone’s idea of a good time.
💡 Try this instead:
Skip the Bunny if it’s not a hit. There’s no rulebook that says it’s mandatory.
Or do a low-key Bunny moment at home with a smaller stuffie or toy your child already loves.
If your child wants to meet the Bunny, look for sensory-friendly events in your area—or create your own quiet photo moment.
3. Egg Hunts, Reimagined
A traditional egg hunt can be crowded, chaotic, and competitive. That might be fun for some kids—but for autistic children, it can lead to sensory overwhelm or meltdowns.
💡 Try this instead:
Do a one-on-one egg hunt at home, where your child can go at their own pace.
Hide eggs filled with items your child loves—not just chocolate.
Use visual or tactile clues to make it engaging in a way that works for them.
4. Let Go of the Shoulds
You don’t have to go to brunch. You don’t have to wear matching outfits. You don’t have to post a curated photo carousel of your family posing in a field of tulips.
💡 Try this instead:
Build a weekend that works for you and your autistic loved one.
Maybe that means a quiet picnic at home or a sensory-friendly Easter basket filled with fidget toys and snacks they actually like.
Maybe you skip the festivities altogether and just have a chill weekend—and that’s 100% valid.
5. Honor the Joy That’s Already There
Your autistic loved one might not experience or express Easter the way other people do. That doesn’t mean they’re missing out—it just means their version of joy looks different. And that’s beautiful.
💡 Try this instead:
Follow their lead.
Celebrate the things they get excited about—even if it’s lining up jellybeans by color or spinning in the backyard while everyone else is eating ham.
Remind yourself that connection matters more than tradition.
Wrapping It Up (Like a Chocolate Bunny)
Easter doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be Pinterest-worthy. It just has to be yours—flexible, gentle, and full of room to be who you are.
Whether your family goes all-out or keeps it low-key, remember: supporting an autistic person during the holidays is about creating space for them to thrive, not forcing them to fit in.
We see you. We’re with you. And we’re wishing you an Easter weekend filled with compassion, understanding, and maybe a little chocolate. 🍫
