Andi’s Top Tips for a Sensory Aware Christmass

Andi's Top Tips for a Sensory Aware Christmass

Make your own festive traditions

For many families with children or adults with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, the festive period can be a very overwhelming time of the year.

It can be a beautiful time of the year, but your child’s sensory issues don’t suddenly disappear at Christmas. If anything, we find they’re heightened. As much as we’d love a big, busy family Christmas, we are led by what our children are comfortable with and in particular with Lucy’s sensory and emotional difficulties.

Christmas is usually the four of us doing regular Christmas things, but they’re scaled down slightly.  If we see family members, then it’s usually for an hour or so. We have presents in the morning but try and keep excitement levels to a normal level, this can be very tricky! Sometimes we space present opening over the day and maybe Boxing Day too. When it comes to lunch, our children love a roast dinner but we don’t go to town – just a few Christmassy touches

It’s really important to us that our daughter is included in everything we do. But it has to be meaningful for her. If we know she’s not going to enjoy an activity or outing or it is going to cause some distress, then one of us will stay home with her, while the other takes our son.  This really does come from trial and error and the older she get the more tolerate she becomes of certain experiences.

Festive SEN events and adjustments…plan ahead!

Find out if there are SEN sessions for festive films, Santa grottos and even pantomimes. These are set up to reduce anxieties. We tend to go to Santa’s grotto at a garden centre because they are often quieter.

We went to a panto for the first time last year and had such a good time we are going again! We didn’t go to a SEN session however, we did plan ahead by taking an extra adult to help us if needed. We also took ear defenders and plenty of snacks!  

I always believe that communication and planning are key so I always speak to the venue and just make them aware that we are a SEND family and may have to take a break from the show. That way it avoids any uncomfortable conversations or stressful situations when you are trying to care for your child.  It most cases, places are very understanding and happy to help. 

Lean on any tips and tricks that work for you and your family.  It really does take time to find out what works for you all.  For example, if we need to go somewhere potentially hectic, we’ll work out when the quietest time is and take a buggy for our daughter. We’ve learned that sitting down reduces sensory input and grounds her, and she can cuddle her comforter or taggy if she wants.

Sometimes, less is best!

Our daughter can sometimes be quite impulsive and throw objects. So, we go minimalist with any decorations. We make sure anything that’s within reach is indestructible – soft toys and cushions are perfect because it doesn’t matter if your child wants to move, cuddle, or throw them

Communication

Be open and honest, explain that they need to be flexible about Christmas plans. Don’t worry about letting anyone down, they’ll understand. Ultimately, your child’s needs are the priority.

If we’re invited to someone’s house, we find out how many people there’ll be and what kind of event it is. This way, we can make an informed decision about going. It is always with the caveat about seeing how our daughter is on the day and that one of her dads might stay home with her, while the other attends with our son. If people come round to us, we ask that it’s in smaller groups and that they’re mindful of their excitement levels.

My number one tip for Christmas is to make your own family traditions that work for you as a family.  If ‘traditional’ doesn’t work for you, do your own thing!