Christmas Tips For Autistic Or Sensory Children And Their Families

Christmas can bring lots of extra challenges for special needs families, we share our top tips for a sensory friendly Christmas.

Christmas tips for autistic or sensory children and their families

At the Sensory Smart Store we strongly believe that your Christmas should fit the needs and wishes of your family.  Every family is unique, don’t be afraid to ignore or alter any traditions that don’t work for you and yours.  Christmas can bring lots of extra challenges. The festive season changes how everything looks and what happens each day. There are new smells, tastes, lots of expectations and much more social interaction.

Sit back and think it through

Have a think about what sort of Christmas you and your family members will enjoy, and what the priorities are.  

I always believed that Christmas was ‘happiest’ if we crammed in as many people and experiences as possible.  We had Covid illness in the house during two Christmases, and my family members recalled those as the best they ever had, because they were peaceful and less challenging.  That was a sobering realisation for me. Letting go of some things may make us feel sad though, and that’s ok too.

Explain the changes

Everything changes in the run up to Christmas.  Schedules and activities change, there are lights, noises and decorations everywhere.  It can be very challenging for sensory or neurodiverse kids. Talking out loud about ‘what’ is happening and ‘why’ might seem obvious to us but can give reassurance to children struggling to make sense of it all.  Some elements of Christmas tradition are a little odd when you take the time to think about it, and can be a challenge for literal thinkers to make sense of. Having schedules, time limits or clear a calendar with times for visitors and events can help too.

Ask your child how they prefer to receive gifts

What can be a joyous and exciting Christmas morning mess of paper for some families is a complete nightmare for others.  Some children prefer to know what is in their presents before they open them.  I used to wrap my sons presents with him as part of our Christmas Eve and he was then happy to open them on Christmas morning.  We sometimes wrap different types of presents in different colours.  This helps us anticipate and support when we need to move food presents or messy play presents to a ‘safe zone’ after opening.  Hopefully the adult relatives in your life are mature enough to cope if a present doesn’t go down well, but if you think an honest

reaction might be upsetting to a relative, perhaps explain that you are opening presents quietly later, and then send a photograph or thank you after (if possible).  If any toys are noisy be sure to have ear defenders nearby. Make sure any gifts that need batteries, charging up or similar are prepared before wrapping to cut down on the pressure to wait calmly.  Don’t be shy about giving family members a list of tips like these and suggestions for presents, especially if your child does not like things that are ‘typically’ appreciated by their same age peers.

Planning for calm and allowing enough time for sensory regulation

Allow space between events and plenty of time for sensory regulation and decompression strategies.  Think ahead around known triggers and overwhelms.  What calming strategies can be made portable when you are out and about?  If your child needs their handheld game or phone to focus on, so be it.  It is really hard when people make judgements about our parenting, but often they came from a different era, and what was appropriate then just isn’t now.  Let your child do what they need to do during this busy time.

 Enroll others for help

If you are visiting other homes, think about what will make things easier and communicate with your friends and relatives.  If a breakout zone or shorter visit might help everyone have a happier day with less worry its worth sharing the idea ahead.  Also letting your relatives know about coping strategies beforehand so they aren’t asking questions and drawing attention at the time may help.  Usually, people are happier to be ‘in the know’ and they want you to have a good time too.

Traditional food and letting you child have a say on the menu

Yikes! Lots of unusual foods with new sensory textures! A practice run may help on unfamiliar food items in the run up, or a menu breaking down the meal so your little one can choose which bits they do and don’t want in advance.  Ultimately if your family don’t like turkey or sprouts, have something else that everyone will enjoy. 

Release the need for ‘perfect’

Just let it go.  You can set the scene but you can’t make everyone enjoy themselves.  You are allowed to enjoy yourself too, so make sure you also get a bit of what makes Christmas special for you.  

Regulation and strategies

No one knows your child better than you.  All you can do is think through what might trigger or overload them, and then figure out some strategies or activities that might help.  There are always going to be surprises.  If you are at home, is it possible to create a sensory space your child can retreat to when it all gets too much, with items that will help with self regulation?  If you are going to a relative’s house, what can you take with you to replicate what works at home?  Enquire if there is a ‘quiet space’ you can retreat to with your child if needed.

If you think noise will be a factor – especially with xmas crackers or similar – be sure to ask for warning and have ear defenders at the ready.

Essential experiences

We are sometimes led to believe that Christmas markets, Santa rides, carolling, shopping and more are an essential part of the Christmas experience.  This can cause a lot of stress.  If you think your child might enjoy trying a Christmas activity, find out what the quietest times of day are, or if there are sensory friendly sessions or times with low noise or lights.  But if it’s too much, you don’t have to do it, and that’s ok.  

Wishing you a peaceful and merry Christmas x

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Here are a variety of resources recommended by the National Autistic Society that give guidance, advice and ideas for the festive season for families with Autism, Sensory Processing differences or other neurodiversity:

Preparing for Christmas - National Autistic Society

Our website features a range of advice on preparing for Christmas, including some real-life stories and tips from autistic people and their families.

Preparing for the festive period – Scottish Autism

This article includes some advice on preparing for Christmas, as well as some information on how to approach the period after Christmas and the New Year.

3 tips for an autism-friendly Christmas - Jamie Knight

Jamie, an autistic adult, explains how he prepares for Christmas, including the need for quiet spaces and sensory considerations.

Coping with anxiety at Christmas - Emma Louise Bridge

In this blog, author Emma Louise Bridge, offers advice on how best to cope with anxiety at Christmas.

An autistic person’s guide to an autism-friendly Christmas – AutisticNotWeird

Chris Bonnello recommends not conforming to other people’s expectations of what should happen at Christmas. Chris also has advice on handling the sensory overload and changes in routine that may occur during the festive period.

Autism Christmas tips and tricks – Purple Ella

In this video Purple Ella gives some advice to autistic people and their relatives on how to manage some of the challenges of Christmas including gifts, food and socialising. 

Christmas Sensory Survival Kit - Sensory Integration Education

Sensory Integration Education (SIE) have put together a useful guide for preparing for and experiencing Christmas. It has been created using advice and experiences from autistic individuals, parents and carers and professionals.

Autism Tips for the Festive Season – Becoming Autism

Savannah from Becoming Autism shares her four tips on coping with the festive period as an autistic adult during Covid-19. Savannah also discusses how to communicate what you need to others.

An Autistic Friendly Christmas (Autistic Girls Network) – Cathy Wassell

In this blog, Cathy Wassell shares personal experience of why Christmas can be a difficult time for autistic people and offers suggestions of what could help.

Autism and Christmas (Neuroclastic) – Emma

In this blog, Emma explains why Christmas can be an overwhelming sensory experience for some autistic people, shares some tips on how to reduce sensory overwhelm, and advice on creating autism-friendly traditions.