Ho Ho No Way! Escaping festive sensory overload
The festive season is nearly upon us and brings with it expectations of activities which society deems essential. However, Christmas can become overwhelming for people with sensory processing difficulties (like me and my children). So here are my tips for avoiding sensory overload at Christmas:
For adults
1. Mealtimes
Eating pizza or something else for Christmas Day is fine. There is no need to follow societal expectations of a big roast (we’re not turkey fans anyway). My Aunt and Uncle usually make curry on Christmas Day - nice!
2. Quiet Time
Quiet time on your own with a book / dog to stroke is acceptable and highly recommended. In my house, we have Quiet Time in separate rooms to take a break from the busyness and noise.
3. Delegate where possible
Are there any tasks you can hand to someone else - laundry? Loading the dishwasher? By the way, it’s fine to clean the kitchen another day (I have no energy left after cooking!).
4. Avoiding auditory overload
Auditory overload from Christmas carols is avoidable - choose something else. We like a bit of festive Frank Sinatra in our house, although it looks likely to be the K-Pop Demon Hunter soundtrack this year as my daughter has requested it. Help!
5. Decorations
You don’t need to put tinsel and lights up if you don’t want to. I hate hoovering up tinsel for weeks and Christmas lights make my eyes feel funny, so we have balloons instead with Happy 6th birthday on them.
For children
1. Meals
Eating pizza on Christmas Day is also acceptable for children. Don’t feel you have to stick to traditional Christmas food (although I remember having a dance in the kitchen one year when my autistic child had one bite of roast potato!).
My son’s contribution to this blog is to remind me that for the last two years, we have ordered pizza for Christmas Eve which is nice. He also reminded me that eating chocolate coins is recommended for Christmas. So if in doubt, chocolate is key!
2. Presents
Consider spreading out presents over the course of a few days to avoid cognitive overload. Last year I gave some presents to my children a couple of days after Christmas which Santa “accidentally left in mummy’s wardrobe after he got lost.”
3. Quiet Time
Consider having some Quiet Time after busy periods, e.g. opening presents. Quiet Time in our house consists of a lie-down, with cushions and blankets and an activity, e.g. a book or playing a quiet game on a tablet computer.
4. Your Christmas, your way
Don’t feel pressured into doing traditions if it’s not your child’s preference. For example, we drive to see Christmas lights instead of walking due to the risk of bumping into things. We also attend a special SEN event to visit Santa because my autistic children struggle with queuing.
Wishing you a Merry Chill-Mas!
Beth Paterson
Proud Neurodivergent Lady and Parent, Occupational Therapist and chocolate lover.
