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How autistic kids can have a great Christmas: tips on planning, presents, parties, scheduling and exit plans
- Christmas often signals a break from routine, which can be upsetting for people with autism who thrive on familiarity
- Let family and friends know if allowances need to be made, keep it low-key and (most importantly) be kind to yourself
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My autistic son loves to sing It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
It’s ironic because for him, and for many families like ours, the winter holidays are more like anxiety marathons than a relaxing joy-filled break. But over the years, I’ve learned that trying to understand how autistic children experience holidays and being flexible with our expectations can make these long winter breaks more joyous times for everyone.
Holidays unsettle autistic kids for legitimate reasons. If your child thrives on routine, consider how challenging this time of the year can be. There are school breaks, trips that take them outside their comfort zone, and relatives descending from afar and invading their space.
Local stores, neighbourhoods and even your own home may have holiday makeovers, which can be exciting but also disturbing if your child is of the opinion that anything different is bad. And while you may look forward to traditional holiday dinners, for autistic children (or really, autistic anybody) they can be intolerably long, talky, smelly, bright and emotionally overpowering affairs.
Our autistic children can have a much easier time navigating this seasonal chaos if we have their backs and help them cope with the disruptions or delights the holidays may bring.
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