Holiday Stress: How to Help Your Autistic Child Cope

The holiday season is often called the most wonderful time of the year, yet for kids with autism and their families, the holidays can be filled with stress, anxiety, and fear. As a parent, you want nothing more than to ease the frustration and make the season a joyous one for your child. Fortunately, there are a few tactics you can use to make this holiday season go more smoothly for the whole family. 

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Avoid Big, Abrupt Changes 

Kids with autism thrive on routine, so sweeping changes to their environment can be upsetting. Instead of decorating the whole house for the holidays on a single day, try making a few changes at a time. Gradually introducing items to the environment and allowing your child to participate in decorating can ease the distress caused by too many changes at once. 

If Feasible, Host Holiday Gatherings at Your Home

While it’s not always possible, hosting events and family get-togethers at your home can sometimes ease the distress of the holiday season overall for kids on the autism spectrum. Of course, there are still changes in the routine to cope with, but being surrounded by their own belongings and the comforts of home can help many kids stay calm and relaxed. Plus, when you’re at home, your child can always escape the activities for some alone time in their bedroom. 

Talk About What to Expect 

If you’ll be hosting a family meal or get-together this holiday season, talk about what will happen with your child before the events take place. You can draw pictures together to help your child prepare for something new and understand what will happen. 

Conduct a Trial Run 

Another technique that can reduce the stress associated with larger family gatherings is to try a practice run. Set the table as you will the day of a holiday meal, for instance, and have your child help with the preparations. Sit down together and talk about who will be there, what you’ll eat, and other expectations. 

If you have several activities planned away from home, remember your autistic child may not be the only one who is stressed, and don’t give up too much family time at home each week. A break from the hustle and bustle can be just what your whole family needs to decompress during the busy holiday season. 

Plan Calming Distractions 

If there are certain things that your child doesn’t typically cope with well, you can plan some activities that will serve as a distraction and remove your child from the situations that cause the most distress. For instance, some children with autism become distressed when exposed to loud noises, so planning an alternate activity during that time can avoid a crisis. 

If your family gathers around the TV and watches a football game with rambunctious chatter and enthusiasm, plan an activity for a few of the kids that can take place in another, quieter room, such as an art project. Using this approach, your child won’t feel left out of activities and won’t be exposed to over-stimulating situations. If your child prefers to have some alone time, have them listen to some relaxing music. A new set of noise-canceling headphones can help them enjoy a more immersive experience.

The holiday season is a busy one, and the added activity alone can cause some children with autism to experience added stress and anxiety. When your child is frustrated and upset, you want nothing more than to help them feel relaxed and in control. By taking some time to prepare your child for upcoming events, sticking to typical routines as much as possible, and allowing time and space for decompression, you can help to make this holiday season enjoyable for every member of your family.

If you’d like to work with one of our Therapists we are currently accepting clients and you can reach us at Our Office. We provide a free 15 phone consultation to determine if we are a good match for one another. For more information on anxiety and depression treatment check out our website at www.chicagopsych.org