• The stores are full of noise, lights, lots of people, and winter holiday music that can create major overwhelm for those with sensory processing challenges (discussed elsewhere in this book).
• Social requirements such as visiting relatives wanting a hug or a kiss that can fell painful.
• Holiday dinners where they are expected to try foods or sit for long
periods of time with so many people and so much commotion.
• Many children are mesmerized by the colors and textures of the ribbon and
wrapping paper and do not open the present but stim (get engrossed on
playing with) on the wrapping
• The child does not understand personal space or have notion of safety and so may run around the house
or handle something breakable.
• Relatives may think the that the child is misbehaving, and may try to discipline the child, not realizing that the child really can't help it, and that
discipline is not helpful when it comes to sensory overload and high
anxiety.

• Parents have a difficult time because they know there are certain expectations of behavior that relatives and friends have and that the child cannot fulfill.

What can you do? With some preparation, planning and information sharing, the holidays can be less stressful and more enjoyable. Here are some tips on how to prepare your
friends and relatives whom you will be visiting:

• Explain the difficulties your child has with holiday dinner environment, decorations, noise etc.
• Let them know he is not just misbehaving, and that he is learning little by little to handle these situations
• Explain about dietary challenges so they don't expect him to eat what everyone else is eating.
• Ask if there is a quiet room (child -proof in terms of décor) whenre your child can retreat for some quiet time to escape the commotion and
noise.
• Send them a short but sweet letter or email explaining explains why your child acts the way he does and the difficulties of the
holidays form his point of view. They will have a better understanding
of why she won't wear a dress or he won't wear a necktie, and why as
more and more people start arriving, he tries to escape the room.

To prepare your child:

• Make as social stories book about what will be happening and the behavioral expectations. If possible include photos of who he will be
seeing, the house decorated at last year's holiday season. If he is
going to church, do the same there.
• Play some of the music he may be haring at this holiday season.
• Practice unwrapping presents - wrap a bunch of boxes up with favorite treats inside and have him open them to get to them.
• Practice a handshake if he can tolerate that.
• Write rules together - ie how long he thinks he can tolerate sitting at table, and expected behavior.
On the day of the holiday celebration:
• Remind your child of the agreed upon rules
• Packs some little toys he can play with in his lap at the dinner table
• Bring some foods he can eat, especially if he is on a specific diet.
• Arrive early so that the noise level builds up slowly for him.
• Do not let the expectations of others ruin your day. Due what you need
to do to make it as comfortable as possible for you and your child.

Holidays can be difficult because of all the expectations, as well as the sensory challenges, but with planning and information sharing the
holidays can be more enjoyable for all.