Celebrating Connection and Growth in February: A Parent’s Guide

February is a month that naturally highlights connection, kindness, and relationships. Between Valentine’s Day activities, winter routines, and the midpoint of the school year, families may notice changes in their child’s social engagement, emotional regulation, and communication.

For parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), this time of year can bring both encouraging progress and new challenges. Rather than viewing February as a month filled with pressure or expectations, it can be an opportunity to intentionally support growth in ways that feel manageable, flexible, and supportive at home.

Below are practical, family-friendly ideas to help your child feel successful during February, with a focus on Valentine’s Day, communication, emotional regulation, and sensory support.

Preparing for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day often introduces new social experiences at school, home, or in the community. Cards, treats, group activities, and changes in routine can feel exciting for some children and overwhelming for others. Preparing ahead of time can help children feel more comfortable and confident.

Helpful ways to support predictability include:

• Talking about Valentine’s Day using simple, concrete language
• Previewing who your child will see and what activities may happen
• Letting your child know how long an activity or event is expected to last
• Using visual supports to show what the day may look like
• Practicing brief role-play conversations to set expectations

Participation does not need to look a certain way to be meaningful. Some children may enjoy engaging fully in crafts, card exchanges, or group activities, while others may prefer to observe or participate for short periods. Both are valid.

Even small moments of engagement such as handing a card to someone, sitting nearby during an activity, or communicating with a want or need are meaningful and worth celebrating. Focusing on comfort and enjoyment rather than outcomes helps reduce pressure and allows children to engage at their own pace.

Recognizing Kindness in Many Forms

Kindness is often a central theme in February, but it’s important to remember that kindness looks different for every child. While Valentine’s Day emphasizes sharing and giving children diagnosed with ASD may show kindness in a variety of ways.

Families can support and recognize kindness by:

• Acknowledging when a child follows directions or uses gentle hands
• Noticing moments when a child demonstrates progress with sensory needs. For example, they remain regulated in busy or stimulating environments that previously were challenging for them.
• Recognizing participation alongside peers, even without direct interaction
• Pointing out kindness when observed 

Recognizing these moments as meaningful expressions of kindness helps build social awareness without placing unrealistic expectations on children.

Supporting Self-Expression

February also provides many natural opportunities to support communication and self-expression. Valentine’s-themed activities often involve choice-making, requesting materials, and interacting with others. 

Parents can support self-expression in simple, meaningful ways, such as:

• Offering choices (for example, choosing colors, decorations, or snacks)
• Creating opportunities for children to request help or materials
• Modeling simple, functional language or communication strategies
• Responding consistently when a child communicates a want or need

Whether a child communicates using spoken language, gestures, pictures, or a communication device, these everyday moments reinforce that communication is powerful. When children see that their communication leads to meaningful outcomes such as receiving help or having their preferences, honored confidence and independence grow.

Supporting Emotional Regulation

Emotional regulation can be especially important during February, as winter routines, reduced outdoor time, and seasonal changes can impact mood and energy levels. Valentine’s Day activities may bring excitement, disappointment, or frustration, all of which provide opportunities to support emotional understanding. 

Helpful strategies include: 

• Helping children identify and label emotions as they arise
• Using simple, clear language to describe feelings
• Offering calming strategies such as taking a break or using a quiet space
• Encouraging engagement in preferred activities to support regulation

These strategies help children build coping skills that extend beyond holiday-related events.

Supporting Sensory Needs

Sensory considerations are an important part of navigating February. Decorations, music, classroom celebrations, and unfamiliar foods can create challenges for some children. 

Families can support sensory needs by:

• Maintaining predictable routines when possible
• Allowing flexibility around participation in activities
• Being mindful of individual sensory preferences
• Providing advance notice of changes or transitions
• Allowing children to bring comfort items or take breaks as needed

Supporting sensory needs helps children feel safe, supported, and more able to engage in meaningful ways.

Final Thoughts

Progress may look subtle, but small changes represent meaningful growth over time. Recognizing progress, even when it feels small, helps families maintain perspective and motivation. Ultimately, February does not need to be a month of comparison or pressure. What matters most is creating opportunities for connection, understanding, and growth that meet each child where they are. Connection looks different for every child, and growth happens one moment at a time.

Author: Katie Price, RBT