Christmas Resources

December brings the fun and excitement of Christmas preparations and traditions, but it can be a difficult time of year for those who thrive on routine and a calm sensory environment. We have put together some information and resources for use at home and school to help reduce overwhelm and make festive activities more accessible.

Christmas Feels Different

At Christmas our young people are processing...

Everything looks different with decorations
Christmas tree lights are bright and may have changing patterns
It's noisy - crackers, carols, music and special events on everywhere
They might be asked to eat different food
They (and we!) are tired from a long school term
Excitement and anticipation about what presents they might get
A dislike of surprises
Different people in their home (relatives staying, people visiting)
Changes in routines

… the list is endless and different for everyone with autism.

Managing these differences requires a great deal of energy and the result is often that things get too much and we see a meltdown, seemingly without a direct trigger. For some young people, the reaction to this may be different, such as becoming very withdrawn or to begin trying to control their environment to make things more comfortable.

So how can we help?

Planning Balance and Time to Recharge

Just as there are things that use up energy, there are things that give it back. Sleep is an obvious one and really the list is very different for each different person, but it could include:

Time engaging in special interests or obsessions.
Time out in a quiet, low-distraction space.
Mindfulness exercise like colouring, yoga or deep breathing.
Positive sensory play, or deep pressure/heavy work exercises.
Meditation.
A drink or a snack.
Time alone.
Blocking the world out with ear defenders, or music on headphones.

Very simply, if you put a lot in that drains energy, you will need to put some things in that give it back.

Here are some examples:

Tom can struggle with the sensory stimulation of lots of decorations. His family decided to just decorate the lounge, but not other parts of the house, so he could have some down-time in rooms that look the same as always.

Sarah was holding her anxieties in during Christmas dinner and masking in front of her relatives. When the meal was finished, Mum didn’t insist she join in with a family game, as she knew that would be too much for Sarah and she gave her some time to colour in a quiet place.

Sometimes this will include thinking about a child ‘balancing’ their energy over several days.

Josh and his family went to visit Gran. They knew it would be difficult for him, so they planned that the next day would be at home, with no visitors.

The key is to find a balance in activities or situations which use up energy and the things that give it back, always leaving a little energy left over to cope with any unexpected changes.

Creating Structure and Predictability

For many people, especially those who find change or uncertainty difficult, structure is a powerful way to reduce stress and conserve energy. Predictability helps the brain feel safe, and when we know what to expect, we can prepare ourselves emotionally and practically.

Ways to build structure and predictability:

Visual schedules or timetables: use calendars, charts, or picture cards to show what’s happening and when.
Countdowns to events: mark off days on a calendar or use a visual timer to prepare for transitions.
Consistent routines: keep mealtimes, bedtimes, and daily rituals as steady as possible, even during busy seasons.
Clear communication: explain changes in advance, using simple language or social stories to make them easier to understand.
Predictable environments: arrange spaces in familiar ways and avoid sudden changes to layout or decoration.
Transition supports: use cues like music, a special object, or a short break to signal moving from one activity to another.

By creating a rhythm to the day and making upcoming events visible and understandable, we can reduce anxiety and free up energy for enjoyment and learning. Structure doesn’t mean rigidity - it’s about providing a safe framework where flexibility can happen without overwhelming surprises.