Christmas activities for autistic children

Going out can be very difficult for an autistic child at any time, but at Christmas places are much busier, and the decorations and festive music quickly cause overwhelm. This doesn’t mean that there are no alternatives that might be less overwhelming and can help create festive memories.

Many venues now offer "quiet hours" or sensory-friendly sessions with Santa. These sessions typically have fewer people, dimmed lighting, and reduced noise. These can be a great way for your child to visit Santa in a manageable and enjoyable way.

Many stately homes and woodlands offer outdoor light trails. Some may offer sensory friendly times, but visiting during the week or early in the season means that they are generally quieter.

My son has always enjoyed driving in the dark and driving past houses to look at the decorations on display. Doing an activity like this in his own space means that he can enjoy Christmas in a way that is appropriate for him.

There can be a great deal of pressure to attend commercial events, but these can come at a personal and financial cost. Having a fun Christmas afternoon at home can be great fun, doing some themed crafts or baking or even watching a Christmas movie.

Craft activities can be a wonderful way for autistic children to engage their creativity, improve fine motor skills, and enjoy sensory exploration. It is important that these activities should be simple and flexible. You don’t want to have a complex plan that will take too much time to set up, meaning that your child has lost interest before the activity even begins. Check out our free download in our online shop for craft ideas! Head to www.autability.co.uk/shop

Having an autistic child doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun and build memories and traditions. It just might be that they are different.