5 Tips for Sensory-Sensitive Children During the Holidays
By Nadine Briggs
The holidays can be challenging for kids who experience sensory sensitivities. The pressure is on for families to enjoy being together, but the environment can be ripe for a sensory meltdown. Christmas lights, different types of food, overheated and crowded rooms with groups of people gathering together, the excitement of gift giving, uncomfortable dress clothes and more. Toss in a relative that the child rarely sees who wants a hug or kiss and you just might be dealing with a full blown sensory meltdown. Here are 5 tips to prepare for and hopefully prevent sensory overload this holiday season.
- Explain to your child what to expect – children who are caught off guard by sensory input are more likely to meltdown than those who have had time to mentally prepare. By explaining to your child what to expect, you and your child can map out strategies for what to do when he or she needs a break from all of the noise or excitement.
- Contact the host family ahead of time – contact the family member who is hosting the gathering ahead of time and explain that your child may need a designated quiet place to retreat to for short periods of time. Once you work out where that area or room is located, show your child the area before it is needed so he or she can acclimate to the environment.
- Bring food that he or she likes – it would be great if your child could eat the food prepared by the host and certainly ask your child to give it a try, but bring foods along with you that you know he or she will eat. It is better to feed your child a known food that he or she enjoys, rather than to experience a meltdown due to hunger or because he or she feels forced to eat food that makes him or her uncomfortable.
- Dress your child in layers – rooms with a lot of people can heat up quickly, so dressing in layers allows your child the option of shedding the extra clothing to maintain a comfortable body temperature.
- Be polite but firm – Family members may not understand what your child needs to enjoy the event and they may, unwittingly, cause your best laid plans to go awry. Be friendly and polite with family members, but remain firm with what your child needs. For example, if your child is afraid of dogs, holiday gatherings are not the time to attempt dog immersion therapy.
If all else fails, you may need to be prepared to bring your sensory-sensitive child home while the rest of the family stays. What is fun for most kids just may not be fun at all for your sensitive child. If things are not working, there is no shame is heading home on the early side. We each have our own sensory tolerance levels and everyone should be respectful of sensory limits.
