The Christmas holidays are a time of great excitement and anticipation. Holidays also mean changes in routines, visitors, crowds, line-ups, noise, bright lights, and socializing. For many autistic children and adults, the Christmas holidays can be a stressful and anxious time as well as taxing on sensory sensitivities. Meeting family demands can be especially nerve-wracking, particularly if you want to…
The Christmas season is a time of giving and receiving – gift exchanges at school or work, Secret Santa, sharing gifts with family and friends. Gift giving and receiving can be stressful for autistic individuals. Some autistic children find presents overwhelming. Tearing off wrapping paper can be hard for people with fine motor issues. Others might feel anxious about not…
Christmas can be a magical time filled with decorations, treats, presents, twinkling lights, and excitement. It can also be a stressful time for autistic people because of schedule changes, visitors, sensory overload and unpredictability. Here are a ten tips to help make this holiday season an autism friendly one. Maintain routines for predictability. Try to stick with routines like bedtime,…