When Peyton turned two in the fall of 2020, the world was in the middle of a pandemic.

We’d been in lockdown for months, figuring out our “new normal.” And, like the rest of the world, we spent the holidays at home—no big outings, crowded stores, or gatherings.

At that point, we didn’t know Peyton was autistic, but looking back, the signs were there.

A year later, during a visit to family for the holidays, those clues became clearer. Peyton wasn’t interested in being social.

Instead, he chose to continuously explore his new surroundings, managing sensory overload in his own way. At times, he would even isolate himself from the rest of the family.

Maybe your child reacts differently to the holidays, or you dread the season altogether because of the noise, lights, and changes in routine.

I understand how overwhelming it can be, but even small wins—moments of calm, a brief interaction, or trying something new—are worth celebrating.

Here are practical tips to help your autistic child navigate holiday gatherings while celebrating the little victories along the way.

Core Message:  

In this post, you’ll get practical tips to help your autistic child enjoy holiday outings and gatherings.

We’ll cover ways to manage sensory overload and handle inevitable changes in their routine. You’ll also find ideas for celebrating the small wins that make the season brighter for you and your family.

I know how precious and limited your free time is, so here are some quick links to help you skim through this post if you’re short on time. Feel free to dive in wherever you need—or read the whole thing when you can catch a breather!

1. Prepare for Holiday Sensory Overload  

2. Create a Calming Escape Plan 

3. Communicate with Family Members

4. Practice Social Skills in Advance

5. Prepare for Changes in Routine 

Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself

You’ve Got This, Mama!

Share Your Win

So, how can you prepare your autistic child for the holidays? How do you get them through holiday gatherings and find ways to celebrate those little victories along the way? Let’s check it out.

🎄5 Practical Tips to Prepare Your Autistic Child for the Holidays ✨

1. Prepare for Holiday Sensory Overload  

Holiday gatherings are full of potential sensory triggers—bright lights, loud conversations, and new places.

Preparing your autistic child ahead of time can make all the difference.

Start by exposing them to holiday stimuli gradually. Visit a store with holiday decorations or play festive music at home to gauge their reactions.

If lights or sounds are overwhelming, ease them in with dimmer lights or softer music in a calm setting.

Allow them some control over what they can safely manage, like adjusting the music volume, to help them feel more at ease.  

How about having a family dance party to some holiday music? This can help them associate the festive music with fun and not overwhelm.

You can also introduce noise-canceling headphones in a fun and gradual way. 

• Start by playing soft classical music on speakers during playtime. 

• Once they’re comfortable, switch to Bluetooth headphones playing the same music. 

  
  

• As they get used to wearing headphones, transition to regular noise-canceling ones (no music) during another play session. You can play classical music on speakers in the background.

  
  

• Gradually incorporate other types of music, but it doesn’t have to be holiday tunes right away.

Keep it calm and fun!

As they grow comfortable, try other music or environments. This gradual exposure helps them adjust in a safe way.

Remember, progress takes time, so be patient. You got this, mama! 

Celebrate the Win: If your child manages to stay calm with new sensory experiences, pause to celebrate!

Check this out: Still dreading the sensory overload for your child over the holidays?

Head over to our 7 Holiday Sensory Prep Tips For Your Autistic Child for more ways to prepare your kiddo for the sometimes overwhelming holidays.

2. Create a Calming Escape Plan 

No matter how much preparation you do, there will still be overwhelming moments for your autistic child. That’s when it’s important to have an escape plan. 

If your child gets overstimulated during a gathering, take a break. A quiet walk or a calm space away from the crowd can do wonders for them. 

At school, we do this regularly. If one of our kiddos starts to feel overwhelmed, I’ll take them for a quiet walk through the hallways of the school. It’s a moment of peace for them- and me. We return to the classroom refreshed and ready to engage. 

This could work wonders at home during the holidays too. A quick walk or break in a quiet room can help your child self-regulate and prevent meltdowns. 

Celebrate the Win: When your child successfully uses their escape plan take a moment to recognize their self-regulation. Tell them how proud you are of them for using their calming strategy and give a comforting hug or high-five.

3. Communicate with Family Members  

During holiday gatherings away from home give your child a safe retreat. 

Let your family know ahead of time about your autistic child’s needs and possible triggers. Share strategies that work well for calming your child down and make sure there’s an understanding that if your child needs space, it’s okay. 

This will help the gathering be enjoyable for everyone involved. But most importantly ensures your child gets the support they need. 

You can also request a small space or room away from the activities your kiddo can use as his calming space. 

Here’s a list of items you can bring to create a safe retreat for your autistic child when traveling during the holidays: 

• Noise-canceling headphones 

  
  

• Weighted blanket or vest 

  
  

• Small tent or portable sensory play tent 

  
  

• Favorite book or calming activity 

  
  

• Favorite comfort items (stuffed animals, favorite textures, fidgets, or toys) 

  
  

• Tablet or portable DVD player 

  
  

• Sensory bin or calming jar (check out my post, 7 Holiday Sensory Prep Tips For Your Autistic Child, for tips on creating a sensory-friendly experience for your autistic child over the holidays.)

  
  

• Essential oils or scented lotions (if your child enjoys certain scents) 

  
  

• Snacks and familiar foods 

Maybe you’ll be enjoying some much-needed quiet time in the calming room along with your kiddo. 

Anything your child has at home that they already use for comfort, if it's compact and easy to carry, is a good option. So please do not purchase anything you don't need to. I'm simply giving you ideas of what I use at home with Peyton and other things that help with our kiddos at school.

That said, please note that as an Amazon Associate, at no extra cost to you, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Celebrate the Win: If your family supports your child’s needs, acknowledge this as a victory!

4. Practice Social Skills in Advance 

The holiday season can be an excellent time to practice social skills. But it can also be overwhelming for your autistic child if they’re not used to big groups or lots of conversation. 

In the weeks leading up to a holiday event, role-play situations they might encounter. Practice things like saying hello, opening presents, sitting at the dinner table, or waiting their turn. Keep practice sessions light and fun so they feel positive rather than stressful. 

YouTube videos are also great at helping your child understand what these situations may look like.

Celebrate the Win: When your child practices social skills, even in small steps like saying “hello” or joining the table for a few minutes, celebrate these moments! Let them know how well they did. Reinforce with positive words like, “I saw how you said ‘hi’ to Grandma! That was awesome!”

5. Prepare for Changes in Routine 

Autistic children often thrive on routine, and the holidays can disrupt that stability. 

Start talking to your child about the upcoming changes a few weeks before the event. Explain that things will look different—there may be more people, different smells, and new foods. 

One approach is to create a visual schedule that outlines what will happen during the holiday gathering.

Let them help you create the visuals.

This visual aid helps your autistic child anticipate what comes next and reduces anxiety around unexpected events. 

We tried this approach with Peyton, not just at holiday time but throughout the year. At times, even when we thought he did not fully understand what we were telling him, he surprised us and was fully prepared.

Studies have shown that visual supports significantly improve understanding and comfort levels for children with autism when transitioning between activities.

Celebrate the Win: If your child adapts to even one small change in their holiday routine, make sure to celebrate! Remind them how great they did with the new activity.

A high-five, a happy dance, or a big smile can show them how proud you are of their adaptability.

Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself. 

As moms, we often put ourselves last, especially when we’re focused on making the holidays a special experience for our autistic children. But your well-being matters too. 

Plan for moments where you can take a break. Ask for help when needed, and remember that you don’t have to do it all. Your child will benefit from a calm, rested, and happy mom.

So, be kind to yourself during this busy season.

You’ve Got This, Mama! 

Balancing the holidays and autism might seem daunting, but with the right prep, you can set your child up for success. Creating a calm plan for sensory overload, preparing for routine changes, and celebrating every win along the way will bring a little more joy to the season for both of you.  

P.S. Share Your Wins: You know that feeling of hope when you hear about another autistic child and their family experiencing a "small" win? You can’t help but celebrate with them!

Well, let’s do the same for you. Share the everyday wins you experience with your autistic child on our Share Your Wins page. We’d love to feature your story. Let's celebrate you!

Your celebration might just inspire and encourage another mama.

P.S.S. Still dreading the holidays? Check out our 7 Holiday Sensory Prep Tips For Your Autistic Child for more ways to prepare your autistic child for the sometimes overwhelming holiday season.