Home » Education & Career » Canada for Kids » Autistic Children and the Holidays

Autistic Children and the Holidays

© Mary M. Alward

This article is really for parents. However, if children would like to read it, that is fine, too. It is a little long, but has many good pointers for dealing with holiday stress and the autistic child.

Maybe you have an autistic brother or sister? Maybe a kid in your class is autistic? Parents, do you have an autistic child? If so, there are many tips in this article that can help you get through the holidays without all the stress.

Children who have disorders on the autistic spectrum are a challenge. Some of you may already know that "My Grandson Has Asperger's Syndrome." Asperger's Syndrome is on the high end of the autism spectrum, which means that Brandon is really smart, but has a lot of social issues. It also means that he can't control his emotions much of the time and is always under a lot of stress.

All children who have autistic traits challenge the people around them every day of the year. When the holidays come around, it is more of a challenge. They are over-stimulated easily. Their emotions overwhelm them. It is up to us to learn how to make life easier for them, especially at this time of year.

Autistic kids are not social people. Noise and crowds overwhelm them. They do not cope well with all the holiday hustle and bustle. Holidays are a time when autistic kids are under a lot of stress.

If there is an autistic child in your family, he needs your help. He may not want to join in the excitement of opening presents. Maybe he will be busy trying to figure out how the lights on the Christmas tree work. He may sit in a corner by himself away from all the activity. If this is the case, let him be. Children on the autism spectrum are loners. Excitement, stimulation, too many people, too much noise and pressure to perform well, just adds to the stress. This can cause the autistic child to freak out and melt down. This is not a pretty thing to witness or cope with. It is not a nice thing for the autistic child to experience. By the time he is calm, everyone in the house will be upset or exhausted. Your holiday dreams will also be shattered.

Allow the autistic child to play with the tree lights or sit in the corner while the rest of the family opens their presents. He will join in if he feels confident. If not, don't force him. He may wish to open his presents later, when things have calmed down.

The copyright of the article Autistic Children and the Holidays in Canada for Kids is owned by Mary M. Alward. Permission to republish Autistic Children and the Holidays in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.