Supporting a child who finds Christmas overwhelming

Christmas can be hard for your child if they struggle with crowds, noises and changes in routine. The festive period can be overwhelming for autistic children and children with ADHD, sensory issues or anxiety.

It can help to plan and adapt your celebrations around your child’s needs.

Make a list

Make a list of what your child finds difficult. The list will be unique to your child because every child will cope with Christmas in different ways.

Try to think about when they might experience these things. Think about whether you can avoid those situations or help your child prepare. It might help to let friends and family know what you’re doing and why.

Prepare them for gifts

Some children find surprise gifts overwhelming. You might want to let them know what type of gifts they will open and when this will happen.

For example, you could tell them you will give them a book and the surprise is which book you choose. It can also help to:

• spread gift giving over the day or different days
• give gifts without wrapping
• allow them to open gifts away from others or at the same time as other people, so they don’t feel like they’re being watched
• talk to friends and family to explain that your child’s responses to gifts might not be what they expect

Involve your child in decisions

Involve your child in some decisions. For example, ask them to help you choose decorations they feel comfortable with. This could be lights, colours and textures.

Plan for visitors and outings

If your child struggles with people visiting your home or going out, think about how you can help. You could:

• see if your child wants to stay at home with another family member when you go out
• let your child know they don’t have to hug or kiss people they don’t want to
• ask if they want to play in a different room
• share pictures of people in advance, so they’re familiar with their faces
• let your child stay with you if they want to when at other houses
• remind the people you’re seeing not to put pressure on your child to speak or join in

Consider food, smells, sounds and textures

Different food, smells and sounds or textures may upset some children. At Christmas, this could be noisy toys, perfume, scratchy jumpers or the expectation to eat something different.

If it helps, you can:

• warn them about some of the things they may see, hear and smell
• let them know they can opt out of wearing certain clothing if it’s uncomfortable
• try to protect their bedroom from new smells
• give them familiar scents to wear (try essential oil rollers or lip balm on their wrists)
• avoid buying loud or overly stimulating toys
• go without Christmas crackers, or find ‘no bang’ crackers
• offer ear defenders
• serve up their usual favourite food, if the Christmas meal is a problem for them

Create a safe space

Keep at least one room in the house free of decoration. Try to make sure it looks like it usually does. This can be a safe space for your child if they feel overwhelmed. 

Manage changes in routine

Prepare your child each day for what’s coming the next day. Talk to them about who will be there, what they will do and what they’ll eat. If your child uses picture cards or sign language to communicate, start using signs for the new activities ahead of time to help their understanding.

Some children might like to have some control over some of these things. You could give them a choice between two different activities.

Try to keep some of their routine the same. It can be helpful to start and end their day with something you would usually do. Think about morning routines, as well as bath time, bedtime and story time.

On the below link is a printable pdf Christmas toolkit. This is to complete with you child as a bespoke toolkit to support them over the Christmas period.

Some children and young people will have questions and anxieties and may need support and guidance to process their emotions and thoughts.  

Please see attached a document produced by Sheffield Children’s NHS Healthy Minds which provides helpful support and advice and can also be shared with parents and carers.

Support for Y6 – Y7 transition

Please click on the website below to access resources to support children who are due to experience a transition to another school; it includes advise and support around smartphones, SEND and supporting your child’s wellbeing as well as practical support for the change.  

https://inourplace.co.uk/moving-up/ 

Below is the link for the Triple P Parents in Rotherham website. Triple P gives parents simple tips to help manage the big and small problems of family life!

Parents can access an online course and there are lots of resources available too regarding sleeping, self-regulation, building good relationships, setting boundaries and rules etc. They also offer in person courses too.

https://www.triplep-parenting.uk.net/uk/get-started/triple-p-parenting-in-rotherham

Rotherham SENDIASS

Rotherham SENDIASS is a free, confidential service. They offer accurate, impartial, information, advice and support around matters relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to children and young people with SEND (0-25) and their parents/carers. 

Upcoming Event

Please ‘follow’ the Eventbrite page by using the button below to be notified of upcoming workshops throughout the year covering a range of different topics.

Rotherham SENDIASS Eventbrite

Rotherham SENDIASS YouTube

Please ‘subscribe’ to the SENDIASS YouTube page for videos on different processes, hints & tips as well as information on common topics.

Rotherham SENDIASS YouTube Channel

Graphics and Resources

If you have concerns around emotional wellbeing, then below are some services who may also be able to offer support.

Here are a few telephone numbers which you may find useful:

• MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) 01709 336080
• CGL (Drug & Alcohol Recovery Service) 01709 917660
• Mental Health Helpline 0800 132 737
• Sane.org.uk 0300 304 7000
• CAMHS – out of hours Crisis Team 01709 302670
• SPA – Single Point of Access Team 01709 822330 – this can be used out of hours
• Salvation Army – 01709 558435
• Samaritans – Call 116 123 (free of charge)
• Refuge – freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247 – 24 hour helpline

Food Banks

• Hope Church    – 01709 – 820896
• VAR (Voluntary Action Rotherham – food for people in crisis) 01709 829821

Health and Wellbeing Resources