Celebrating Christmas with an Autistic Child

Christmas is a wonderful time of year for so many. It's meant to be spent doing the types of things you enjoy with the ones you love most. Celebrating Christmas with family is the default for many, but that can prove to be difficult for some.

When it comes to autism and the holidays, many autistic children can feel overwhelmed by the lights, sounds, smells, and changes to routines that come with the holiday season. Everyone deserves to have as merry a Christmas as possible, so here are a few ways to make sure the autistic child in your life enjoys Christmas just as much as everyone else.

Christmas gifts for a child with autism

If there are any textures, sounds, or other triggers that can be particularly difficult for your child to manage, make sure that any friends and family who are coming to visit know what they are, so your child can enjoy the celebrations without anxiety.

Some autistic children may also dislike the rustle of wrapping paper, so consider using gift boxes or bags for a happier experience for them.

You can also pre-prepare a so-called “safety net bag” with your child’s favorite calming toys. These might include stress balls, video games (fully charged), and headphones to muffle sound or listen to their favorite music. Having this on hand is a great way to quickly make your child feel more at ease if he or she becomes over-sensitized.

When it comes to gift-giving, less is often more with autistic children. Having an overload of new things can be overwhelming, so even if more gifts come, try giving your child one or two to open on the big day, so your child can enjoy the process more fully.

Christmas activities for autistic children

A big part of the holiday season is the Christmas traditions, which often means different routines compared to the rest of the year. While this might be fun for a lot of people, it can be scary and disruptive for an autistic child.

Try to find ways to incorporate Christmas activities into the regular routine. This might mean eating meals at usual times, avoiding very large family games, or whatever else doesn’t fit into your child’s standard routine.

Don’t be afraid to set boundaries with family members. Remember that you know your child best, so do what you need to do for them at Christmas time, and listen to what he or she needs throughout the day.

How to create an autism-friendly Christmas

When it comes to autism and the holidays, a lot of it comes down to making it as autism-friendly a setting as possible. You can plan ahead by:

• Bringing food you know your child will love
• Planning an exit strategy with your family, so you can leave quickly and without fuss, if needed
• Having a quiet room set aside where your child can go if he or she becomes overstimulated
• Keeping music at a low level

Again, you know what can be too much for your child better than anyone, so plan ahead to try and counteract any triggers that might be difficult for your son or daughter.

As always, Best Care is here to support you, and we want everyone to have a wonderful Christmas this year.

Reach out to a member of our team if you need any ideas on how to plan an autism-friendly Christmas!