How to Have an Autism-Friendly Christmas

The holiday period is one filled with joy and anticipation, and many of us enjoy seasonal flavors and traditions. However, for autistic and neurodivergent children, the Christmas period can be overstimulating, and seasonal changes can be too much for some. Preparing effectively and making small changes when bringing in the Christmas period can allow you to celebrate the holidays smoothly.

Let’s go over ways you can make the Christmas period one of sensory joy, instead of sensory overload if your child is autistic.

Why Would Christmas be Overwhelming for Autistic People?

Neurotypical people might not exactly understand why the Christmas period could be stressful for autistic or neurodivergent people. Let’s go over ways the holiday period could be stressful:

Many Big Changes

The festive mood often takes over not only our homes, but our external environment as well. Malls, schools, stores and even streets are often covered with festive decorations, which are often bright, shiny, and accompanied by festive music or sounds like jingling bells.

Although many of us anticipate and look forward to festive decorations every year, this huge environmental change which often happens overnight can be overwhelming for autistic adults and kids, especially anyone who needs routine.

Continuous Stimulation

Festive decorations are not just bright, loud or overstimulating, but are also often always ‘on’, and this can mean constant stress on an autistic person’s senses. Festive music is always playing in the mall, decorations are not just visible during the day, but also at night with bright Christmas lights, as well as many stores using Christmas scents or flavors in their products.

Research indicates that up to 90% of autistic people experience sensory sensitivities, which can mean becoming easily overstimulated in the festive period. Even neurotypical people become overwhelmed during the holiday period – imagine having sensory sensitivities as well!

Autistic children looking at christmas decorations

More People & Socializing

During the holiday period, people are out more – shopping for presents, taking advantage of Black Friday sales, taking annual leave or visiting their friends and families. As a result, malls, restaurants, movie theaters, parks and other facilities are often much busier than usual. Likewise, socializing is an expected aspect of the festive period, with more dinners, lunches and parties to attend.

Once again, socializing during the holidays is stressful for neurotypical people, so for autistic and neurodivergent people, this can be simply too much to handle on top of everything the holiday period involves.

Ways to Have an Autism-Friendly Christmas

Now we understand how Christmas and the festive period can be overwhelming for autistics, let’s go over some ways you can make sure your celebrations are autism and sensory-friendly.

Stick With Routines

Changing environments and breaks from school and work mean that routine often goes out the window. However, keeping a sense of routine can allow your child to cope better with the changes during the festive period. If your child needs routine, try to keep meal times, nap times, and activity schedules consistent during the festive period.

Low Stimulation Activities

As the festive period can be filled with stimulation and sensory experiences, make sure you also ensure that you allow time for relaxation and low-stimulation activities. For example, you can:

Leave one area of the house undecorated during the festive period, so your child can relax there when needed
Try low stimulation activities, such as crafts or baking
Visit Christmas attractions during off-peak periods, and be flexible when doing activities
Check to see if your local mall or grocery store has a low-stimulation period or ‘quiet hour’ so you can shop comfortably with your child
Try and go to stores during quiet periods, such as early in the morning, to avoid crowds

Low sensory activities like crafts can be suitable for autistic children

Ease into Socializing

The increase in socializing can be difficult to cope with for autistic children, especially for ones who cope by masking. Likewise, being introduced to many unfamiliar faces, or socializing with relatives who your child doesn't see often can be overwhelming. During the festive period, try and ease into socializing, and keep appointments spread out over the holidays. If you are having social gatherings or parties, make sure there is a quiet space for your child to utilize if they feel overwhelmed.

Be Prepared and Flexible

As the festive period means socializing with others, it often means visiting other people’s houses, or going to parties. The festive period also comes with its own cuisine, which might not be to your autistic child’s taste or texture preferences. When dining out during the festive period, always keep some of your child’s favorite snacks with you in case they can’t have the food served at parties or events. Likewise, take sensory toys and items, like headphones with you so you can provide your child with comforts if they need them.

With the right adjustments, Christmas can be an enjoyable time for you and your family. Making festivities autism-friendly involves keeping routine and being flexible with your plans and activities.