Christmas can be a time for meeting family, celebrating together and time away from work and school. It can be fun and exciting for children and young people but for some it’s a season that brings additional challenges.

It can be confusing for children whose families do not celebrate Christmas. Some children might live in a blended family or share their time between two households where family traditions and expectations can be different. Navigating all of this can be an added pressure for children with additional support needs and sometimes visual supports or social stories can help to address this.

Whether or not you and your family celebrate Christmas, its difficult to avoid the potential disruption to routines at home, in the community, and in our schools and nurseries. For some children and young people there is the added possibility of feeling overwhelmed by sensory input from lights, music and decorations.

Some families find it easier to keep the daily routine around Christmas as close as possible to the family norm. Sensory/movement breaks or some quiet times might be even more important to build into routines at this time of year.

Food is an important part of festive celebrations, but some children struggle to cope with too much change around things they prefer to eat. It could be less stressful keeping their food the same or perhaps just give them a little new food to try.

Spreading present opening throughout a day or even the week could prove less overwhelming.

Alternative Christmas trees and decorations

  • A fabric tree with decorations attached by Velcro which could be played with and be safer for a child who tends to mouth things.
  • Putting the tree behind a fireguard, a sofa or in another room could help to limit access and visual stimulation.
  • A vinyl sticker/decal of a tree put on the wall could be a fun alternative.
  • Edible decorations: popcorn garlands, chocolate baubles, baked gingerbread men, etc.
  • Fairy Lights which are on static setting rather than flashing might help.
  • Limiting tree decorations initially to just a few and gradually building up when you can.
  • Involving the child in decorating the tree might help some children with the change.
  • Consider when you put presents under the tree for children who struggle with waiting.

We have highlighted below some useful links and information which might help support families in the run up to the holiday.

‘Christmas Ideas from ‘Life Skills for Little Ones’

• Point out changes leading up to Christmas.

• Use visual timetable (advent calendar).

• Keep morning routine at Christmas.

• Practise some activities before e.g. opening presents.

• Decide how many different activities in the day you will have (don’t overload).

• Keep pictures of last year’s decorations to prepare and look at them in advance.

• Practise stockings, sacks, etc. what you will do with them.

• Don’t overdo pre-Christmas parties if the child is stressed.

• Be aware of school/nursery routine changes on the lead up to Christmas and try to explain them. It’s ok to minimise exposure to stressful Christmas activities if this change in routine has a negative impact.

Occupational Therapy, Falkirk, 2015

Support for parents from Action for Children

How can I help my child with special educational needs cope over Christmas?

Autism Friendly tips from the National Autistic Society

Christmas tips for autistic people and their families

The Pines Highland Neurodevelopmental Service

Christmas resources from The Pines including social stories, Christmas symbols, calendar countdown, etc.