A joyful holiday with children with sensory aversions
The holiday season should be a joyful time, not something you feel like you have to "survive." When you have a child with sensory aversion, the key is planning ahead!
Clothing
Forgo dressy, itchy clothes for something your child is comfortable wearing.
Work together to pick two outfits that they can choose from and are comfortable in.
Public holiday events
Discuss in advance what events you are going to with your child, what they might look like, and how they can communicate with you or what they can do when they feel overwhelmed.
Try to go early and on an off day if possible to avoid crowds.
Bring a "toolbox" of things that can help them regulate. Crunchy food like pretzels or granola, a straw cup for water, fidgets, and a "sensory bottle" or snowglobe to watch are all good ideas.
Private holiday events
Be the first one to arrive at a family holiday gathering. Walking into a calm house and allowing the sensory input to build gradually may be easier to handle than walking into a full, loud house.
Bring a side dish or extra snacks that you know your child will eat.
Bring your "toolbox" to have at the ready if they need it.
Ask the host in advance if there is a private, quiet room they can go to if they feel overwhelmed.
Step outside, even if it's cold, to help regulate, take a break from the noise, and run around for a bit.
Remember to focus on the joy and togetherness the holiday season should bring. It can feel exhausting to feel like you "have to make a ton of accommodations for your child," so try to keep the end goal in mind. Taking the extra time to get there early is worth it for a happy family gathering.
