Between dressing up for Halloween, changing clocks back for Daylight Savings Time and partying over turkey on Thanksgiving, there’s no shortage of big doings in autumn. Many parents and children embrace these events with gusto, but for parents of children with special needs, the happenings can create significant disruption and spark some serious trouble.

“Around here we usually hold our breath in October and don’t exhale until January,” says Barbara Streett, a  parent of one child with special needs, 10, and two neurotypical kids, 7 and 5, respectively. “If it’s not one thing at this time of year, it’s most definitely another.”

Streett isn’t the only parent grappling with what she’s labeled the “Fall Frenzy.” All over the country, other parents of children with special needs find themselves in the same difficult situations.

Love, Laugh & Live: The Emotional Side of the Holidays

We’ve consulted our experts to provide this closer look at some of the biggest challenges of fall, along with some suggestions on what you can do to make the season a little easier for everybody involved.

Remember, every child is different, and there’s no flow chart for how this works.

The overarching goal: Be flexible, and remember that no tradition is more important than the comfort and happiness of your kids.