How to Create an ABA-Friendly Birthday Party

Birthday parties are typically very exciting for children. They look forward to attending them for their friends and family members, and get even more excited when the party is celebrating their birthday.

For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), birthday parties can be a source of anxiety, worry and feelings of being overwhelmed.

So much about birthday parties is new and out of the ordinary, creating issues for children who often thrive on routines and predictability. In addition, parties are also typically events filled with sensory stimuli, which could cause children with autism to quickly experience sensory overload.

You don’t have to fear birthday parties if your child has autism, though. Below, we’ll provide some tips on how you can create an ABA-friendly birthday party for children with ASD.

Table Of Contents

Choose a Theme That Interests Your Child

Themes are very popular for children’s birthday parties today, and many parents get quite creative with them. While you might want to come up with a cute phrase that integrates your child’s age and themes that fit in with that, for example, it’s best to choose a theme that interests your child — even if it’s a repeat theme from previous years.

Children with autism might have certain things that they are intensely passionate about. So, why not make the theme revolve around that?

If your child loves horses, for example, get creative and make the theme about horses. This will make your child smile and keep them relaxed as it’s something they know and love.

Keep the Guest List Small

While you may want to invite a big crowd to celebrate your child’s birthday, it might be best to limit the guest list. This might mean holding separate celebrations for friends and family members, but it will help to keep your child from becoming overwhelmed.

Children with ASD often struggle in crowds and with social interactions in general. By keeping the guest list small and limiting it to people with whom your child is familiar and comfortable, they’re less likely to feel anxious.

Create Structure

As mentioned, children with autism often thrive on routine, predictability and structure. Birthday parties can sometimes be free-for-alls, as people just get together, mingle and have a good time.

This could be detrimental to your child with autism, though. It’s a good idea to create structure to your child’s birthday party, with sensory-friendly activities that your child loves.

You could even create a visual schedule of the birthday party, and share that with your child before the party so they know what to expect. Then, on the day of the party, move an arrow from one activity to the next on the schedule so they know it’s time to move on.

Be Mindful of Food and Drink

Birthday parties are times when children often consume a lot of sugar and foods they might not on a daily basis. Everything from pizza to juice to cake and more are typically available at a kid’s birthday party.

When children with autism consume an excess amount of sugar, it can have very negative effects on their behavior and mood. So, when you’re planning your party, make sure to offer healthy alternatives such as fruit for dessert and a well-rounded meal.

Not only will this ensure your child has the energy they need to play that day, but it will also be pleasing to the adults, who could probably use a break from pizza and cake, too.

Carefully Choose the Location

It’s also important to choose the location for the party carefully. If you can have the party at your home, that might be the best option, since it’s an environment that your child is familiar with and that you can control, in a sense.

This doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t have your child’s birthday party outside of your house, but you might want to avoid some of the common locations due to the possibility of sensory overload — bowling alleys, indoor playgrounds, arcades, etc.

Instead, find a local park if the weather is nice. Or, search out sensory-friendly environments that host birthday parties for children on the autism spectrum.

Choosing an appropriate location for your child’s needs will set them up for a great day ahead.

Step	To-Do	Notes
1	Pick a child-friendly theme	Choose something familiar and beloved
2	Draft a guest list	Keep it small and familiar
3	Design a visual schedule	Helps with structure and predictability
4	Plan a balanced menu	Offer low-sugar, nutritious options
5	Select a calming venue	Home or sensory-friendly locations work best

Blue Gems ABA Helps Children with Autism Overcome Their Challenges

Birthday parties don’t have to be a source of angst for children with ASD and their parents. They can still be fun and memorable events, as long as you take certain planning steps before the day.

At Blue Gems ABA, our team of experienced therapists help children with autism overcome their challenges everyday by administering applied behavior analysis (ABA therapy) on a one-to-one basis. This science-based treatment method helps children learn social, communication and daily life skills while also modifying certain negative behaviors.

To learn more, please contact us today.