7 Ways to Create Autism-Friendly Holiday Celebrations

Did you know that autism affects 1 in 36 children in the US? 

Each and every one of these children is affected differently. After all, autism is a spectrum.

Holidays, in particular, are a time when children living with autism may experience challenges.

Between the twinkling lights of the winter months or changes in routine when kids are home from school in the sunny months of summer, this can be tough on families. 

But here's the good news: With some thoughtful planning and simple strategies, you can help your child navigate holidays while still enjoying special moments together. 

Whether this is the first holiday since your child's diagnosis or you're looking for fresh ideas to make future holidays better, there are many ways to make the season more manageable and enjoyable.

Understanding Holiday Challenges for Kids with Autism

Before diving into solutions, it's important to understand what can make holidays challenging for children living with autism. 

This understanding will help you better support your child and plan ahead for success. You should also remember that every child living with autism is different. It's a common misconception that everyone living with autism reacts the same way to holiday celebrations.

Why do Kids Living with Autism Sometimes Struggle with Holidays?

Holidays bring significant changes to daily life. 

For children living with autism, these changes can feel like their whole world is turning upside down. Many find comfort in knowing what comes next in their day, but holidays shake up these familiar patterns. 

Whether it's a major religious celebration, a family reunion, or a cultural festival, the changes in routine, environment, and expectations can create anxiety and stress.

The Impact of Changed Routines

Holiday celebrations often mean different wake-up times, new activities, and changes to normal schedules. 

Your child might usually eat lunch at noon, but holiday gatherings could push this to a later time. Regular therapy sessions might be canceled. Even small changes, like rearranging furniture for gatherings or setting up special decorations, can feel huge to your child.

Sensory Experiences During Festivities

Holidays are full of intense sensory experiences that can quickly feel like too much for kids with autism:

• Bright decorations and different lighting
• Festival music and unfamiliar sounds
• New food smells from special holiday dishes
• Different clothes for special occasions
• Increased physical contact from friends and family
• Crowded spaces with higher noise levels
• Unfamiliar textures from traditional foods
• Meeting new people

These sensory challenges can build up over time, making it harder for your child to cope with each festive experience. 

8 Ways to Help Your Child Autism During Holidays

Now that you understand the challenges, let's explore practical strategies to make holidays more enjoyable for your child. 

Remember: not every child living with autism is the same. Each of these tips can be adapted to fit your child's specific needs and comfort level.

1. Create a Visual Holiday Schedule

A visual schedule is like a roadmap for your child during any holiday. Unlike a regular calendar, it uses pictures and simple words to show what's happening each day. This kind of schedule can transform confusion into clarity for your child.

Here’s a quick example you could use with the following materials:

• A large poster board or bulletin board
• Pictures of holiday activities (photos or simple drawings work great)
• Basic art supplies (markers, glue, scissors)
• Velcro dots if you want to move activities around

Create your schedule by:

1. Breaking each day into morning, afternoon, and evening
2. Including regular daily activities (meals, bath time, bedtime)
3. Adding special holiday events with pictures
4. Using a "finished" pocket to move completed activity cards

The key is reviewing this schedule every morning and after each activity. Point to the pictures, use simple words, and celebrate as you move activities to the "finished" section. Some parents find it helpful to include a "change of plans" card — this helps prepare your child for unexpected switches in routine.

2. Set Up a Dedicated Quiet Space

Every child needs a place to recharge when holiday excitement becomes overwhelming. 

Creating a quiet space gives your child a safe retreat where they can take breaks and feel calm again when the festivities become too much.

The perfect quiet space starts with the right location. Choose a low-traffic area of your home, away from excessive noise. This might be a corner of their bedroom or a less-used room, but the key is making sure it's easy for your child to reach when they need it.

Think of this space as a cozy cocoon. Use soft lighting instead of bright overheads, and consider adding comfort items that help your child feel secure. These might include:

• Their favorite blanket or weighted blanket
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Familiar toys and books
• Simple sensory items they enjoy

The most important part of creating this space is teaching everyone to respect it. Let family members know this is your child's special quiet zone, and make sure your child understands they can go there whenever holiday activities feel too intense. 

Some families may also find it helpful to create a simple signal their child can use when they need quiet time. Even just a simple hand signal!

3. Prepare Extended Family Members

Holiday gatherings can be smoother and more enjoyable when your extended family understands how to support your child. 

Having honest, kind conversations with family members before holiday events can prevent misunderstandings and help everyone feel more comfortable.

Start these conversations early — ideally weeks before any big gatherings. Share specific examples of what helps your child feel comfortable and what might cause stress. 

For instance, let the family know that your child might need time to warm up to them before any hugs or that loud music could be overwhelming.

Here are some key tips to share with family members:

• How to greet your child in a way that makes them comfortable
• What topics your child enjoys talking about
• Signs that your child might need a break
• The importance of respecting your child's boundaries

Remember to keep the tone positive and helpful. You might say something like, "Jake gets excited about holidays too, but sometimes he needs extra time to adjust. When we let him set the pace for hellos and hugs, he feels much more comfortable joining in the fun."

If family members seem unsure, offer specific ways they can help. This gives them clear actions to take and helps them feel more confident interacting with your child.

4. Practice Holiday Social Skills

Getting ready for holiday events is like rehearsing for a play. The more your child practices, the more comfortable they'll feel when it's time for the real thing!

Breaking down holiday social situations into smaller, manageable pieces can make them less overwhelming for your child.

Turn practice into playful learning moments at home. You might set up a pretend holiday dinner with stuffed animals or practice opening presents with wrapped empty boxes. 

Keep these practice sessions short (10-15 minutes, for example) and fun. The goal is helping your child feel more prepared and confident.

Some key situations worth practicing:

• Opening presents and saying "thank you"
• Greeting relatives they haven't seen in a while
• Sitting at a holiday dinner table
• Taking turns during holiday games or activities

Try using your child's interests to make practice more engaging. If they love trains, you might practice giving holiday greetings to toy trains. Or, if they enjoy drawing, create simple comics together showing holiday social situations.

Remember to celebrate small wins along the way. Maybe your child managed a quick "hello" to grandma in practice or remembered to say "thank you" for a pretend gift. 

These moments deserve recognition — they're building blocks for holiday success!

5. Modify Traditions to Be Sensory-Friendly

Holiday traditions don't need to be all-or-nothing. 

With some creative adjustments, you can keep the traditions alive while making activities more comfortable for your child. Think of it as turning down the volume on overwhelming experiences while keeping the joy turned up!

Start by looking at your family's holiday traditions through your child's eyes. Maybe certain activities that are bright and crowded feel overwhelming — like festivals, parades, or community celebrations. 

Think about how to adapt these experiences. A busy cultural street festival might be too much, but watching celebration videos at home or visiting during quieter hours might be a great fit. 

If a large family gathering for a holiday meal feels overwhelming, creating a smaller celebration at home first might help your child feel more comfortable.

Some traditions might need simple tweaks to work better:

• Choose specific times to play celebration music or sounds instead of having them on all day
• Set up any decorations or ceremonial items gradually over several days rather than all at once
• Create a smaller gathering space away from the main celebration area
• Break up longer ceremonies or celebrations into shorter segments

You might also discover that new traditions work better than trying to modify old ones. 

For example, instead of attending a large community celebration, you could create a smaller version at home that captures the same spirit. Or rather than participating in a lengthy ceremony, you might find ways to celebrate its meaning through shorter, quieter activities that your child enjoys.

The goal isn't to skip holiday traditions — it's to find ways to celebrate that work for your whole family. In fact, these adapted versions often become even more meaningful because everyone can participate comfortably!

6. Maintain Essential Daily Routines

When celebrations shake up everything else, keeping some parts of your child's day the same can make a big difference. 

Think of daily routines as anchors that help your child feel secure even when holidays bring many changes.

Focus on protecting the most important parts of your child's schedule. If they always have breakfast at 8 AM, try to stick to that time. Their bedtime routine of bath, story, and cuddles? Keep it consistent. 

These familiar patterns help your child feel safe and know what to expect, even during special celebrations and gatherings.

This doesn't mean you can't be flexible — it's about finding the right balance. Try to identify which routines matter most to your child. For some children, it might be meal times. For others, it could be their morning routine or bedtime ritual. When you need to adjust these routines for a special celebration, try to keep at least some elements the same.

During times when regular schedules change (such as holiday breaks from school or during multi-day celebrations), create a simple schedule that mirrors their usual day. 

You might not follow the exact timeline, but having predictable activities at regular times can help your child stay regulated. Post a schedule where your child can see it, using pictures if that helps them understand better.

7. Plan Escape Routes for Gatherings

Having an escape plan isn't about expecting things to go wrong — it's about being prepared so you can all relax and enjoy holiday gatherings more. 

Think of it as having an umbrella with you. You might not need it, but knowing it's there helps you feel more confident about your outing!

Before heading to any holiday event, take a few minutes to think through what you'll do if your child needs a break. Talk with your host ahead of time about using a quiet room or peaceful space if needed. Knowing there's a dedicated, calm space can help both you and your child feel more at ease.

Some key things to plan for:

• Where the quiet spaces are
• How to excuse yourselves politely
• What signals your child can use to tell you they need a break
• Have your car keys handy in case you need to leave early

Share this plan with your child in a positive way. You might say, "If things get too exciting, we can take a quiet break in Aunt Sarah's study. Then we can come back when you're ready." 

This helps them feel more in control and less anxious about joining the festivities.

Help Your Child Living With Autism Thrive During the Holidays and Beyond 

No matter where your child is on the spectrum, they deserve the best possible support to help them thrive.

Using skill-building therapies and other support systems, see how Sevita’s experts help children living with autism every step of the way.

Discover more about how you can support children living with autism today!