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Bright twinkly lights, Festive treats, Christmas markets and the excitement of Santa coming down your chimney, makes Christmas the most wonderful time for a lot of families, however for some autistic children, Christmas can be a very unpredictable and daunting time.
Why Christmas Can Be Overwhelming for Autistic Children
Although all children’s experiences will be different, Christmas can be an overwhelming time of year for autistic children. Sudden changes to a child’s routine, sensory overload and pressure to socialise can make the Christmas period a challenging time.
Re-think tradition, don’t be afraid to make your own rules and make Christmas enjoyable for your family.
“My son doesn’t eat a traditional Christmas dinner”
Caudwell Children have compiled some festive tips to help you have an autism-friendly Christmas. Remember that everyone is different, so not all of these tips will work for your family.
Keep your Child Involved
Make sure you keep your child involved with any Christmas planning and discuss their preferences, their concerns and what they might feel uncomfortable with. There might be some Christmas traditions you would like to keep such as surprise gifts, but it’s important to ask your child how they feel and what they would prefer for example whether they would like to receive one present at a time, or if they would like their presents unwrapped. Small adaptations can make Christmas enjoyable for everyone.
“We don’t wrap the presents”
Prepare Well in Advance
Many autistic children thrive on structure and routine, so any changes to this can be difficult, so it’s extremely important to prepare for the whole festive season not just for one day. This could include:
- Don’t feel obligated to stick to every Christmas tradition; instead, adapt what works best for your family.
- Visual aids such as visual timetables, social stories and lists will help you plan for Christmas.
- Plan how to support your child to prevent and regulate any sensory overwhelm that may occur. For example, do they want to take breaks, use ear defenders or have a quiet space to retreat to if the house becomes loud or busy.
- Consider elements of typical Christmas tradition that may impact more significantly on autistic children – such as the sudden noise of pulling crackers, and ensure you prepare your child and others for this if you wish to use them.
- Let loved ones know what will help your child enjoy their visit, such as quieter activities, no lights, and the importance of keeping to familiar foods or routines.
“We try to keep to our normal routine”
Stick to a Familiar Routine
Routines provide a sense of security for many autistic children, so try to keep things as familiar as possible. Try to:
- Keep your child’s daily routine as close to normal as you can, including on Christmas Day.
- Gradually introduce Christmas activities for example when decorating for Christmas, put a few decorations out one day, decorate the tree on another, turn the lights on the day after. You can also involve your child in this process so they feel a sense of control and empowerment over these steps.
- Use visual timers to symbolise the end of activities. Our Get Sensory Pack includes visual aid Liquid Timers and our Autism Sensory Pack includes a Green Ooze Tube that provides a visual representation of time.
- Create a visual schedule and share this with your child to reduce any uncertainty for them.
“Christmas is relaxed, we tend to stick to the same routine and we have Christmas Dinner at their usual time. The boys love music so we have a little disco and Dance with the sensory lights going.”
Christmas Decorations
Christmas decorations can be magical, but they can also be overwhelming. Here’s how to keep the decor merry and manageable:
- Plan suitable decorations for your home, include the best room and area to place them and how many if any you will have.
- Avoid putting up everything at once. Decorating over time can make the change easier for your child to adjust to.
- Create Christmas-free areas within your home with no decorations.
- Choose appropriate lights dependent upon your child’s sensory preferences; you can also use lights which offer different brightness settings. Ensure you avoid lighting that will be too overwhelming for your child.
Create a Quiet Space
A quiet space for your child is beneficial not just at Christmas but all year around. This space should be free from decorations and must be a place where your child feels safe when they feel overwhelmed. This may also be where they have access to some sensory toys or activities that support calming and regulation. Ensure your child knows they can spend time in this space or time alone whenever needed.
“Christmas is lots of fun – and there’s lots of yummy food!”
Christmas Dinner
A traditional Christmas dinner may be beloved by some, but it doesn’t have to be the centrepiece for everyone. Some autistic children prefer to stick to the same foods and have trouble trying new or different foods. When planning your Christmas meal, take into consideration your child’s safe foods, or make a separate meal for your child.
Consider School Holiday Changes
Schools often make many changes for the Christmas period including decorations, Christmas trees and changing the schedules (especially towards the end of term). Try talking to school about how they can support your child to prepare for this as well as discussing how your child feels about the changes.
Some schools will have children take part in a nativity or school play, make sure your child’s needs are being considered in all festive activities. Social stories may help with events like this, but there is also no pressure to participate at all.
Celebrate Your Way
Christmas is about creating joyful, meaningful moments, and there’s no one-size-fits-all celebration. By adapting the festive period in ways that suit your family, you can bring out the joy of the season in a way that’s inclusive and memorable for everyone.