Autism at Christmas

About This Session

This session explores how Christmas and other festive periods impact autistic people through disrupted routines, increased sensory load, social expectations, and emotional pressure. It examines strategies to reduce overload while maintaining choice and enjoyment.

Learning Outcomes

• Originally developed for our parent carer forums this session is delivered each December virtually to around 500 parents and carers.
• Understand why festive periods increase stress for autistic people.
• Recognise the impact of routine disruption on regulation and identify ways to increase predictability during festivities.
• Identify sensory challenges associated with celebrations.
• Understand the effect of social expectations and pressure.
• Apply strategies that support safer festive experiences.

Session Formats