How To Celebrate Christmas With An Autistic Child
Christmas conjures up ideas of magical moments, family fun and quality time at home together. In reality Christmas can become the most stressful time of the year for a family of a child with Autism.
Food shopping, present shopping, cleaning the house so great aunt Mable doesn’t comment on the quality of your cleaning, and the expectation that when you go to your relative’s house that your child will just ‘play’ like their cousins and enjoy the Christmas spirit.
Christmas, for a child with Autism also can be the most stressful time, so we have put together top tips based on our experience working with children with Autism to get through the holiday season intact.
1. Decorate the house gradually: Add pieces of decorations slowly so the room doesn’t dramatically change into a grotto overnight.
2. Plan your Christmas Day: If your child needs a ‘safe space’ to take themselves away from the noise and chaos of a family day – create a safe space for them. Instead of watching a family film together, plan for your child to watch “In the night Garden” on the iPad as per usual
3. Use visuals: Prepare your child for what is coming. Use PECS, a visual schedule or a social story for all the things they may see, hear and do on those days so there are no surprises.
4. Stick to a routine: If your child usually has cornflakes for breakfast, have cornflakes for breakfast. Opening a present and eating a chocolate orange might not be acceptable for that child on Christmas morning. If you usually eat at 1pm for lunch, then stick to the routine and remember, just because it’s Christmas it doesn’t mean your child is suddenly going to eat green veggies for the first time.
5. Allow your child to choose whether they open their presents or not. Opening presents might not be the priority for your child when stress levels are high and sensory overload is taking over. Children with Autism may also find it difficult to know that underneath that wrapping paper is the toy of their dreams.
6. Time limit visits to busy places. Choose a time to visit relatives or the shops etc that works for your child, when they are most likely able to cope with change, manage increases in sensory stimulus or when you create a soothing activity for them to do. If your child can only cope with a couple of hours before he start to have a meltdown, then make your visit last less than that.
7. Allow children to play alone. If your child wants to take themselves away from the group and noise, that’s ok. This means they are regulating and coping with what’s happening around them. As long as they are safe – this might be how they are getting through Christmas.
While Christmas can be an incredibly stressful time for families with children with SEND, following this guide might help to reduce the impact of Christmas and create some order and calm.
Wishing you a peaceful and happy Christmas!
