Daily life can change a lot at Christmas, from who you see and where you go, to the food you eat and how your home is decorated. For some autistic people, these changes to routine, the sensory environment and social expectations can be challenging. This page has tips that may help.

Plan ahead

Many autistic people feel calmer when they know what to expect, and some rely on set routines. Christmas can be challenging because so many things may be different from a normal day.

It can help to plan ahead, thinking about what will happen on each day of the Christmas period:

• What time will things happen?
• How will you get to places?
• Who will be there?
• What will you eat and when?
• What activities will or might happen?
• What do you need to bring?
• Where is a calm space if time out is needed?
• When will you leave (or when will visitors leave your home)?

Keep in mind that shops and services such as public transport may have different opening times or timetables.

Some people may benefit from making a schedule or using other visual supports, such as pictures of new places and activities.

Autistic people may want or need to do things differently to other people to feel calm and enjoy themselves. Try to be flexible and allow yourself or your family member to make adjustments that make things more comfortable. Some suggestions are in the sections below.

Remember that autistic people are all different. One autistic person may have different needs and preferences to another autistic person. Involve your autistic family member in planning to make sure any adjustments made are right for them.

Tell people you are spending time with about any planned adjustments, so they aren’t surprised on the day.

Consider the sensory environment

Autistic people can experience sensory input differently. They can be much more or less sensitive to light, sound, smell, taste and touch.

Christmas can bring many changes to the sensory environment or a person’s sensory experience. For example:

• bright or flashing lights and other decorations
• new or unusual foods, sometimes at different mealtimes
• smells from scented candles, diffusers or air fresheners
• loud or busy environments such as shops and Christmas parties
• being asked or expected to wear different things, such as Christmas jumpers and hats, or more formal clothes
• being expected to hug or shake hands.

Try to make yourself or your family member comfortable. This could mean keeping some things the same as normal or doing things differently to other people. For example:

• turn off bright decorations, or keep lights on solid rather than flashing
• have a space without lights and decorations to go to
• eat the same food as usual, or limit the number of new foods; keep the timing of meals the same
• have enough physical space around you, for example at the dinner table
• don't use scented candles, diffusers or air fresheners, or switch them off
• spend less time in loud or busy environments
• wear ear defenders or sunglasses; listen to music on headphones if this helps
• avoid Christmas crackers and other loud, surprising items
• use or encourage stimming and stimming tools or toys wherever they are needed (this may include at events or at the dinner table, for example)
• wear comfortable clothes
• greet people by waving or saying hello rather than hugging or shaking hands.

Consider social expectations

Christmas can bring a range of social events and expectations. Some autistic people may find these challenging or tiring. For example:

• Christmas parties
• Christmas games or activities, at home, school and work
• giving and receiving presents
• meeting and greeting people
• going to other people’s homes or having people in your home.

It may help to:

• limit how much time is spent socialising
• agree how long you will spend at an event in advance
• have alternative options for taking part in activities, or the option not to take part
• include focused interests in Christmas activities
• agree a plan for giving presents in advance, including how much to spend
• know what presents are ahead of time, to reduce anxiety
• remove expectations such as reacting immediately to presents
• prepare for time spent in other people’s homes, for example, you could visit before Christmas or look at pictures
• limit how many people are going to be in your home and for how long
• have calm spaces to go to, away from other people.

Build in quiet time and calming activities

If you or your family member can find Christmas overwhelming, it’s a good idea to plan in periods of quiet time or time spent doing activities that help with relaxation and recovery.

For example:

• take regular breaks from big groups and loud or busy places
• have a quiet space to go to away from other people
• carry a ‘sensory kit’ of items to manage sensory needs
• allow time to focus on interests and activities that make you or your family member calm and happy
• have a plan of what to do if you or your family member start to feel panicked or overwhelmed.

Links, resources and article sources