Tips for Making the Holidays Joyful and Inclusive for Children with Autism and their Families

The holiday season often comes with bright lights, loud music, and busy crowds, which can all be potential sensory triggers for children with autism. It can be a challenge navigating sensory sensitivities, family gatherings, and winter activities for both the child/youth and the parent/caregiver. Here is a holiday guide designed to help you manage sensory overload, keep a consistent routine, and create social stories to prepare children for the holiday season.  

 

Managing Sensory Overload During the Holidays 

To help manage sensory sensitivities, you can provide support by working together to create a visual schedule that outlines holiday plans. This activity can be fun, while also helping your child to understand what to expect. 

Identifying break areas with your child/youth can allow them a quiet, calming spot to retreat to when feeling overwhelmed. Whether at home or during outings, designate a break area that they are comfortable with, providing a calming activity or familiar toys. Keeping comfort items on hand, such as noise-canceling headphones, a weighted blanket, or a favourite toy can help your child feel more secure. Plan your timing wisely, attending events during quieter times and limiting outings to manageable durations. 

 

Maintaining Consistent Routines 

Autistic children thrive on predictability, so sudden schedule changes during the holidays can be challenging. With time away from school and work, it can become easy to lose track of the days. Sticking to routines such as regular meals and bedtimes can provide a sense of stability. Try to maintain basic routines to support your child/youth with consistency. 

 Create social scripts to help your child understand and navigate new experiences like visiting relatives or opening gifts. Social scripts offer a structured framework to navigate social interactions. Work with your family to build out the script during the days and weeks leading up to holiday activities. By practicing the script, your child/youth can build confidence, enhance communication skills, and better understand social cues. 

 

Navigating Family Gatherings 

The holidays can be a time for large family gatherings with relatives you don’t interact with regularly. This can be an opportunity to foster understanding and connection to guide relatives on how to support your child(ren). Suggest inclusive, sensory-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy together, creating a welcoming environment for your child/youth.  

Let family members know in advance about your child’s needs, such as limiting hugs or avoiding loud toys. For your child/youth, it may be beneficial to role-play scenarios your child might encounter ahead of time, like meeting new people. Prepare an exit plan in case your child or youth becomes overstimulated and discuss this with the host. It’s important that everyone understands and advocates for the comfort of your family.  

 

Gift Recommendations 

Looking for gift ideas for kids in your life? If you have a friend or family member who is autistic and you’re not sure what to get them, check out these toys recommended by our Kinark Clinicians: 

• EggXpress Yourself (for ages 18 months+) 

The multiple aspects of the toy hit many targets, including social-emotional learning, cognitive skills (matching, problem-solving), imaginative play, etc. 

• Balance Counting Math Game (for ages 3-5 years) 

This game is great for number and colour recognition, hand-eye coordination and pretend play. 

• Melissa & Doug Take-Along Doorbell Dollhouse (for ages 3-7 years) 

This toy combines imaginative play with interactive features to help children build essential language skills like vocabulary, storytelling, social communication, following directions, and fine motor coordination. 

• Marble Run (for ages 5+) 

This toy targets requesting skills, following directions, describing, building vocabulary, problem solving, turn taking, etc. This is great for kids who love cause and effect toys, as well as building and constructing! 

• 5-Piece Sensory Pack Fidget Toys Set (for teens and adults) 

This set of sensory fidget toys help to relieve stress and anxiety by keeping the individual busy and focused. Youth and adults can promote sensory development while practicing and improving finger flexibility. Each fidget toy is easy to operate and portable, allowing them to be used anywhere, anytime.  

 

Inclusive, Sensory-Friendly Winter Activities 

Shopping during the holiday season can be stressful for many people when the stores are overcrowded, holiday lights are flashing, and songs are playing loudly. To reduce stress for your child/youth, consider shopping online if possible or opt for sensory-friendly shopping hours. 

There are also tons of sensory-friendly activities you can do at home: 

• Build a snow fort or make fake snow using baking soda and water. 

• Create a holiday-themed sensory bin with pinecones, cinnamon sticks, and soft ornaments.  

• Watch a Kinark Kreates video for fun holiday crafts like make a snowflake, make a reindeer, or make a snowman. 

Try some virtual experiences like joining an online story time with holiday themes or attend virtual meet-and-greets with Santa. Many malls throughout the GTA hold sensory sensitive times for photos with Santa. Visit the website of the mall closest to you to see if a session is available in your area. 

You can also check out local sensory-friendly activities in your area such as quiet holiday markets or movie nights that cater to your child’s unique needs while embracing the holiday spirit.  

 

Creating a Sensory-Friendly Space 

Break areas are important in providing a child or youth with a quiet, calming spot to retreat to when feeling overwhelmed. There are a few things to consider adding to this space to make it fun and sensory-friendly. 

• Dim lighting: use string lights or lamps with adjustable brightness. 

• Weighted comforts: provide weighted blankets or lap pads for calming pressure. 

• Soft textures: fill the area with plush pillows, soft rugs, or a favorite stuffed animal. 

• Sensory tools: incorporate sensory bins, fidget toys, or calming scents like lavender. 

• Headphones: these can help with tuning out loud noises and chatter. 

 

Self-Care Tips for Parents and Caregivers 

The holidays can be just as overwhelming for caregivers, making self-care essential to fully supporting your child. Building a support network by connecting with other understanding families can provide valuable tips and a sense of community.  

If you being to feel overwhelmed, try delegating responsibilities to other family members. Whether it’s planning holiday activities or stepping in to help with caregiving, it’s okay to ask for help.  

Remember to take breaks, even small ones like enjoying a quiet coffee or going for a walk, to recharge. Read our blog for more mindfulness tips for parents and caregivers, and check out our resources, here. 

With thoughtful preparation, a focus on inclusion, and a balance of structure and flexibility, the holiday season can be a time of joy and connection for your family. Adapt these tips to meet your family’s specific needs and embrace the season in your own meaningful way. 

From everyone at Kinark, wishing you a Happy Holiday and a wonderful New Year!