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Preparing family members ahead of time can make Christmas much more enjoyable for everyone, especially if your child is autistic or has ADHD. A little understanding and preparation go a long way in creating a more supportive environment—not just on the day itself but also in the lead-up to the celebrations. These tips can be helpful for any social occasion, not just Christmas.
Tip One: Start early and keep it positive.
Start the conversation early so family members have time to prepare and ask questions. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that plans are in place to support your child.
When talking about your child’s needs, try to keep the tone positive. For example, instead of saying, “My child can’t tolerate loud noises,” you could say, “My child prefers quieter environments, so they might wear their noise-cancelling headphones to feel comfortable.”
Encourage questions and be patient if misunderstandings arise. Keep the focus on what works best for your child.
Tip Two: Keep it personal.
Once you’ve given a quick overview of autism or ADHD, personalise the explanation by sharing specific examples about your child. This makes the information more relatable and relevant to family members.
For example, you could say, “X sometimes needs quiet time when things get noisy,” or “X isn’t a fan of hugs, but they love high-fives.”
Don’t forget to highlight their strengths alongside any challenges and suggest ways to help minimise triggers.
Tip Three: Communication.
Autism often affects communication, so let your family know how best to interact with your child. Share topics they enjoy talking about and how they might respond.
For instance, “X loves trains, so that’s always a great conversation starter,” or “X might respond with gestures instead of words, which is how they’re most comfortable communicating.”
Tip Four: Gift giving.
Help family members choose gifts your child will enjoy by offering suggestions or explaining their preferences.
For example, “X loves dinosaurs, so anything dino-themed will be a hit,” or “They’re not a fan of surprises, so wrapping gifts isn’t necessary.”
If your child struggles with opening presents or showing excitement right away, let family members know and suggest alternatives to make the experience smoother.
Tip Five: Food for thought.
If your child has specific dietary needs, communicate them early. Sometimes, bringing food you know they’ll eat can help reduce stress for everyone.
For example, “X prefers plain pasta, so I’ll bring some along to make sure they have something familiar to eat.”
If eating with others is difficult, share this with family in advance so adjustments can be made if needed.
Finally, remember you don’t have to have these conversations in person or over the phone. Sometimes an email or message works better, giving everyone time to process and ask questions. With a little preparation, Christmas can be less overwhelming and more enjoyable for everyone.
Check out our FREE downloadable letter/email template to family and friends! Available on our website shop now.
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