Autism Resources for our Community -
Each issue, Spectrum Life Magazine Editor and content curator Karen Krejcha answers frequently asked questions about autism-related resources and topics in our community.
Dear Spectrum Life readers,
One observation about the holiday season is that the same holiday and Christmas carols tend to play on repeat over and over and over. For a neurodivergent family like ours, music on loop is already our jam, but I’ve noticed it tends to make neurotypical folks a little anxious.
So to add a little humor and fun to your holiday season, I wrote a few holiday carol parodies for you to enjoy, sing and share.
We’d love to see and hear your original parodies too. Send them in to spectrumlife@autismempowerment.org and you may see them posted in a future blog at SpectrumLife.org, hear them in a future Autism Empowerment Podcast or shared on social media.
Deck the Halls with Less Anxiety
Sung to the tune of Deck the Halls
Deck the halls with less anxiety, fa la la la la la la la la!
‘Tis the season for sensory calming, fa la la la la la la la la!
Everyone included with easy access, fa la la la la la la la la.
Enjoy, have fun, then decompress, fa la la la la la la la la.
Embrace the ones who came before us, fa la la la la la la la la.
Add your stories to the life chorus, fa la la la la la la la la.
Acceptance and grace beyond measure, fa la la la la la la la la.
Everyone has gifts to love and treasure, fa la la la la la la la la!
Meaningful lives for all the masses, fa la la la la la la la la.
Inclusion in all our classes, fa la la la la la la la la.
Equipped at home and in all weather, fa la la la la la la la la.
Empowered people come together, Fa la la la la la la la la!
I’m preparing for the IEP
Sung to the tune of I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Wow! These Procedural Safeguards are confusing!
I’m preparing for the IEP
Meeting that will accommodate my child.
I might need a little wine,
Or some help from the divine.
To get this thing just right,
I doubt I’ll get much sleep tonight.
The jargon and acronyms bewilder me.
I-D-E-A, L-R-E and FAPE.
They say I’m a momma bear
But the truth is, I just care
I want my child to thrive and shine their light.
I’ve got a binder full of Procedural Safeguards.
I do! It’s true! I get a new copy each time.
And I’m going to get informed consent!
Oh, I’m preparing for the IEP.
Got all my Wrightslaw books here by my side.
From Emotions to Advocacy
And All About IEPs
I’ve got my degree in LRE tonight.
From Emotions to Advocacy
And All About IEPs
I’ve got my degree in LRE tonight.
I did! I did! I really did learn the acronyms.
Least restrictive environment! Free and Appropriate Education!
Individualized Education Program!
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act!
Never stop advocating!
Thank you for Respecting My Boundaries
Sung to the tune of Winter Wonderland
Telephone rings but I’m not listening.
Prefer you text, or email me,
I don’t like surprise,
So don’t be unwise.
Thank you for respecting my boundaries.
Fluorescent lights give me a headache.
They’re way too bright, and I can hear them.
Don’t wear strong perfume,
If we’re in the same room.
Thank you for respecting my boundaries.
In the nether we can explore biomes.
Yes of course, I’m talking about Minecraft.
It is my child’s favorite passion.
You can teach me yours, I’d like that!
Later on, we’ll hang out online.
No small talk, that is just fine.
To be accepted as me,
Authentic and free.
Thank you for respecting my boundaries.
Thank you for respecting my boundaries.
Thank you for respecting my boundaries.
© Karen Krejcha November 2021
Ask Spectrum Life will be back answering your questions in 2022 so keep sending them in! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Editor's Note: New for 2023, we have added two new carols:
Understanding Starts with You and The 12 Days of Inclusion.
See Winter 2023 Spectrum Life, pages 32 & 33 or visit here.
www.spectrumlife.org/blog/ask-spectrum-life-holiday-caroling-the-spectrum-life-way
"Caroling" Karen Krejcha is the co-founder of Autism Empowerment, where she serves as Executive Director. She is the Editor of Spectrum Life Magazine, host of the Autism Empowerment Podcast and founder of Spectrum of Voices, LLC.
Karen was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in her 40s, after the diagnosis of her two children. In her spare time, she enjoys writing, singing, voice over acting, watching mysteries and playing beta female to her cat, Zula. She has been married to John for over 29 years and is devoted to promoting a culture of acceptance and empowerment within autism and disabilities communities worldwide.
This article originally appeared on pages 16 - 17 of the Winter 2021 print and electronic edition of Spectrum Life Magazine.
