Celebrating the festive season with a person with autism

Encourage the person with autism to take part in putting up decorations – they may not do it quite like you planned but doing a job and seeing it through can give them a great sense of achievement.

The Christmas calendar – create a Christmas calendar which details when things are going to happen, at what time and when they will finish.

Getting out and about – going to see the Christmas lights can be overwhelming because of the noise and other people around you. Try viewing the lights from a car or bus where you have your own space and can control the noise level.

Party games – if you are going to a party perhaps practice the games that will be played beforehand to help the person with autism prepare.

Being part of Christmas – if unfamiliar people are visiting explain who these people are and provide a photo. For your visitors, give them ideas of what they can talk about with the person with autism.

Quiet space – create spaces and opportunities for the person with autism to withdraw to if the party is getting too noisy.

A multi-sensory Christmas – Christmas is an opportunity to create a multi-sensory atmosphere. We focus a lot on lights but what about the smell of cloves and cinnamon, carols with a slow tempo, textures of making holly wreaths, and baking mince pies.

Make sure you have some quiet time too – put on some favourite music, dim the lights and have a good multi-sensory holiday.