Avoiding The '12 Triggers Of Christmas' When Your Child Is Autistic |
It’s often described as “the most wonderful time of the year”, but for neurodivergent families, Christmas – and the massive run up to it – can bring with it a whole lot of overwhelm.
Kate Crawford-Blake, a specialist neurodevelopmental practitioner and head of training and research at Evolve Psychology, told HuffPost UK: “Autistic children often experience Christmas very differently from non-neurodivergent children.”
This isn’t because they don’t enjoy the season or don’t want to take part, she explained, “but because the things that often help them feel secure, such as routine, predictability and a manageable sensory environment, tend to dramatically change”.
So, what are the disruptors that are most likely to trigger meltdowns in autistic children? Here, Crawford-Blake walks us through the ’12 triggers of Christmas’ as well as practical ways to support kids to feel more secure, calm and included over the festive period.
1. Changes at school
The kids haven’t even broken up from school yet, but you might’ve already noticed your child is struggling.
From the confusion of practicing carols during lesson time, to the itchiness of Christmas jumper day, some autistic children will already be frazzled by the time they reach the holiday, said the expert.
Parents can help by:
Putting school festive activities on a timetable Going through it with your child in advance, as well as each day, so they know what’s coming upKeeping the evenings simple. Lowering the demands might even mean dropping afterschool clubs in late December.2. Disrupted routines
From the school break to hosting visitors, travelling and experiencing different meals and mealtimes, the upheaval of Christmas can increase anxiety or dysregulation for autistic children who rely on predictability for feelings of safety and comfort.
Parents can help by:
Keeping the usual rhythm of the day; sticking to the same mealtimes, bedtime, screen time.Making changes predictable by talking about them in advance.Giving clear explanations, and using simple visuals or a schedule so they know what to expect. This might be “what will happen at Christmas” including decorating the tree, visiting relatives, and present opening.Plan in quiet time with a consistent space where your child can go to reset. This can make the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling regulated.3. Changes in environment
“Houses get rearranged for decorations or guests, and suddenly, a favourite chair, preferred spot on the sofa, sensory corner, or........