Create a Sensory-Friendly Holiday Experience for Kids

Happy Holidays! During this time of year, many of us decorate trees, fill stockings with surprises, spend quality time with family and friends, give and receive presents, and listen to festive music. Here are three ideas for helping your child enjoy this fun but sometimes overwhelming time of year.

Plan social visits according to your child’s needs.

Consider shorter visits, use a visual timer so your child can see for how long you will be visiting a family member or friend. Ask relatives and friends to pre-arrange visits instead of showing up unexpectedly. Write a list or display photos of people who you’ll visit with. Practice greeting and hosting others. Keep a pair of ear defenders on you to help your child block out unwanted noise.

Involve your child in seasonal decorating.

Include your child in decorating for the holidays, whether it’s around the house, outdoors, or for the tree. Take them shopping to pick out decorations or a special bauble. Have them hang up ornaments. Bring out seasonal decor gradually instead of all at once to help your child feel comfortable with the temporary changes.

Think sensory-friendly in terms of presents and situations.

Consider using other ways to wrap presents such as using foil or fabric. Give autism-friendly stocking fillers, such as kinetic sand, chewable necklaces, bubbles, and stress balls. Leave an area of the tree or house free of decorations; this can be the child’s quiet, safe place to retreat when needed. If your child must wear a special outfit or costume for a gathering, practice wearing it before the actual day.