5 tips for Autistic people to survive the holidays
Holidays can pose challenges for autistic people due to social, sensory, and schedule modifications. Crucial coping strategies include setting boundaries in social situations, curating a pleasing sensory environment, not overscheduling to please others, knowing in advance about gifts to reduce anxie
Autism and the holidays are not always a good mix. While many Autistic people find some enjoyment in the holiday season, for many of us and our loved ones, this represents a time of over-stimulation and awkward encounters with less understanding family members. As an Autistic person myself, I felt it would be good to highlight some of my top tips for surviving the holidays.
Why are the holidays so difficult for Autistic people?
This article on the holidays presents three core aspects that can be difficult for Autistic people during the holidays. These are:
- Social
- Sensory
- Schedule
To add my own take to this, I believe this is a good starting place. Social aspects of the holidays can be intense. There is an expectation to be around larger groups of people, make conversation, and interact with others in a "socially acceptable" way. The double empathy problem teaches us that socialisation can be difficult for Autistic people because of the empathy gap between neurodivergent people and neurotypical people. This means that when socialising with non-Autistic people we are at risk of communication breakdowns.
Of course the holidays are also a sensory nightmare. Bright lights, loud music, and the smell of food cooking are just some of the things that can be problematic for us. If you are a person who needs a carefully curated sensory environment, then the holidays can be a minefield of unexpected sensory traumas.
The holidays can also seriously upset our routine. Scheduling in family time can mean that the patterns we are used to in life can be turned on their head. What we may take for granted from our day to day lives can suddenly become a period of instability and unexpected events. For Autistic people this can be a very upsetting time.
Finally, there is a demand in many cultures for gift giving and receiving. For Autistic people who struggle with finances, executive functioning, or the demands of responding appropriately to gifts, this particular aspect of the holidays can be enough to cause intense and uncontrollable meltdowns. So with this in mind, what tips can I offer?
