Vanessa's blog - November

Outreach’s Top Tips for Christmas!

Christmas might be “the most wonderful time of the year” but it can sometimes feel like the most exhausting time of the year for children with autism and their families. Children and young people are often expected to participate and join in with the bustle and excitement, despite feeling happiest in a routine. Bearing that in mind, it may be worth considering these tips for your child or children as the festive season draws closer.

· Sometimes it’s better to prepare rather than surprise. 

Who is Father Christmas? How will he know if I’m good? What does “good” look like? What if I don’t manage to be good enough? What presents will I be getting, and from who? Without answers these questions can raise stress levels. Usually, preparation is better!

· Offer to share some control.

Christmas brings change, and many of our young people will be trying to get some control to reduce their worries and confusion. It might be helpful to give them jobs that they can have some control over, like choosing the decorations for the home or organising the seating plan for Christmas dinner. 

· Think of how Christmas impacts the senses.

When people think of Christmas, they often think of the smell of pine trees and mince pies, the sight of twinkling lights and brightly coloured tinsel, the sensation of it being cold outside, and sound of jingle bells on repeat. All of these extra triggers to the senses can result in over stimulation for children with autism. If it is possible to reduce the impact of these then your child may cope better. 

The most important tip is to have fun! If planning for Christmas is stressful, don’t be afraid to take things easy. 

For more tips, check out our “Top Tips for Christmas” help sheet on the Outreach website. 

Merry Christmas from the Outreach Team!