Easing the Christmas holidays for neurodiverse children
“Three tired children, two weeks of stress, and a change in routine!” – the version of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ that you can avoid this holiday!
Tis the season to be busy! The Christmas period is always jam-packed with shopping, wrapping, and trying to remember where you hid that super top-secret present…only to find it in January!
But aside from the normalised festive hubbub, it is often overlooked that the holidays can also be an extremely challenging time of year for neurodivergent children.
Christmas is a big event that can cause those with neurodiversity to feel easily overwhelmed. It involves:
- A change of routine
- Heightened demands and expectations
- An increase in sensory input
These things can all be overwhelming for a neurodivergent child, and as a parent it can be difficult to know how to help.
In this article we cover how structuring your holiday, planning your child's return to school, and giving yourself grace as a parent are all essential to creating a stress-free Christmas.
Finding structure
The need for structure can vary widely among those with neurodivergence. For example, those with ADHD may find routines challenging, while those with autism often benefit from structured environments.
Earlier in the year, Krysalis created a printable Eisenhower Matrix resource, a tool that helps your family manage workloads, prioritise tasks, and reduce stress.
For individuals with cognitive and executive limitations, or families juggling the additional responsibility of supporting a loved one, festive tasks can feel overwhelming. 
Krysalis Clinical Director, Jo Throp
But aside from the Eisenhower Matrix to help you plan, what other tools are available to help these Christmas holidays feel easier?
We are about to delve into the processes and planning tips that will ease the stress of Christmas for neurodiverse children and their parents, all used and recommended by Krysalis Occupational Therapist, Nichola.
Mind-mapping
Nichola recommends a starting point of mind-mapping.
Around Christmas there can be a lot of pressure as a parent to stay organised, and staying focused can become difficult.
Mind-mapping can structure your ideas and help identify which holiday traditions and events are relevant for your family and their needs.
When creating a mind-map, it is key to be reasonable about what you and your child can complete. Limiting pressure on your family fosters a more enjoyable Christmas.
It is so tempting to want to plan and fit in lots of events and activities, but this can all be a bit much for you as a parent, and your child.
Krysalis Occupational Therapist, Nichola
Mind-mapping also helps your child express their feelings, and worries, toward the Christmas holidays. Putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard, is the most effective way to comprehend emotions, and there are often psychological benefits from 'brain dumping'.
Nichola recommends mind-mapping software inspiration-at.com, which she often uses with her clients.
Social story
Being prepared for your child’s return to school can also be useful for parents with neurodivergent children.
It provides both child and parent peace of mind before the everyday routine is changed once again.
Nichola suggests creating a ‘social story’ which can be created with photos or drawings, to help describe what will happen in the future.
This could document the back-to-school morning schedule, or the sequence of events that’ll lead up to school starting again.
Regularly reviewing this story helps your child become familiar with the transition from the holidays to normality, reducing anxiety across this period.
Having a plan, and knowing how each person wants it represented, is so important. Do you want visual aids, auditory reminders, or physical cues? As an occupational therapist we look at all these things in conjunction.
Krysalis Occupational Therapist, Nichola
Visual timetables
Visual timetables can be used over the festive period so that your child can become familiar with their new holiday routine, which once again reduces anxiety.
Whether it’s keeping note of their new daily routine, or documenting your Christmas plans, having a physical calendar can be highly beneficial.
Nichola recommends:
- A monthly calendar
- A weekly calendar
- A family calendar app
For children who have trouble with verbal communication, visual schedules serve as an alternative means of understanding and documenting their daily routine.
You could also go a step further by colour coding the timetable or using photos and images to increase interactivity and engagement. What works best for you is different for each family, so trial and error may be essential.
The gift of being kind
Helping your child feel comfortable with the Christmas holidays, and everything it entails, can relieve the festive stress.
But it is also important to help yourself.
Creating a Christmas that is adapted to your family’s needs prevents sensory overwhelm and anxiety for your child, but you should also focus on being kind to yourself.
Limiting the demands and expectations on yourself will reduce pressure and create a holiday everyone can enjoy. Be mindful of this, and always express self-compassion during these challenging times.
Merry Krysalis-mas!
Ensuring your neurodivergent child's needs are taken care of, and prioritising being kind to yourself as a parent, reduces the challenges Christmas can bring.
Preparation and planning are key to occupational therapy intervention, and the innovative processes we help implement can provide peace of mind at such a stressful time.
As Christmas is the gift-giving season, think of these tools as our gift to you!
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Last updated: 13th December 2024