Coping with Christmas – skip, attend or adjust: A bendy autistic perspective from a teenage member

Over the Christmas period there are many different activities happening that might seem like they would be too painful, tiring, or uncomfortable to attend or take part in, such as:

☺ Christmas light switch on

☺ Going to the cinema to see Christmas films

☺ Present shopping and wrapping

☺ Social gatherings – friends and family

As an autistic teenager with hypermobility, over the festive period there are ways of coping with Christmas that minimise pain and overstimulation so you can still enjoy all these activities.

I find the Christmas light switch on an enjoyable festivity, although it can bring me pain because of the standing and waiting in the cold. One way that this could be more manageable is by bringing a foldable chair so I can sit down while waiting and I then only need to stand for the fireworks and the light switch on minimising my pain.

I completely avoid visiting the cinema to watch Christmas films as I find cinemas too loud and uncomfortable. However,I enjoy watching Christmas films, so I combat the issue by watching them in the comfort of my own home and eating my own snacks.

I also try to refrain from buying Christmas presents in person. It causes immense pain being in large queues and hot, loud shops, so it is far easier to buy presents online as its not worth the dislocations or overstimulation. I also find it difficult to wrap presents as it dislocates my fingers. I find it much easier to put the presents in a gift bag as there is still the element of surprise and I am not left in pain.

On Christmas day we stay at home as a family to minimise pain and stress. It is definitely worth seeing extended family on the days surrounding Christmas even though consecutive long days out of the house causes a lot of pain. We normally spend boxing day to the 28th with one side of the family which helps with overstimulation and pain as I have a familiar bed and room I can stay in.

My friends normally host a Christmas party at some point in the holidays. I normally try to go as I enjoy seeing my friends. They are very helpful at accommodating my needs. I am normally able to go to a closed off part of the house where its quiet and has a comfortable place to sit. Although I struggle with attending large social events, I would say it’s definitely worth going to a party if people are able to support your needs.