Your Sensory-Friendly Holiday ??

We love the holidays, but let’s face it. They’re stressful!

Parties to go to, gifts to wrap, decorations to put up, food to cook — all of these things can be overwhelming for anyone.?

But if you have neurodivergent children, this season is a different kind of stressful.

The holidays mean your child will adjust to new winter break schedules, break their normal routine, meet new people, go to strange places, and possibly be surrounded by overstimulating music, lights, and noise.?

How can you make this easier for your children? By working together to create sensory-friendly holiday celebrations at home!

??? Tone Down the Decorations: Not everyone loves twinkling lights and singing Santa Clauses. Talk to your child about what decorations make them uncomfortable, like shiny tinsel or loud train sets. Discuss what decorations would work best for them, and put them up together!

?? Don’t Pack Your Schedule: It’s tempting to try and see everyone who comes in for the holidays. But consider how taxing it can be on your neurodivergent child to have a jam-packed schedule of long parties to attend without enough time to recharge. Make sure you give your child enough time to rest and decompress between large social events and provide them with the option to skip if it feels too stressful.?

?? Break Down The Schedule: If you are going to parties, sit down with your child to discuss the evening’s events and schedule. “What time will you leave? Where are you going? When will you get home?” Those are great questions for them to know ahead of time so they can confidently walk into a new situation.?

?? Be Prepared: Be like a Boy Scout! If there are things that would help your neurodivergent child feel more comfortable in new environments, bring ‘em! That means your kid might be wearing noise-canceling headphones at Christmas dinner or taking a few minutes to self-regulate in an upstairs bedroom. That means your child is doing what they need to stay happy and stress-free, so that’s A-OK with you!

We hope these tips make your busy holiday season less overwhelming and more fun!

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