SpecialNeedsGifts.com Skill Building Holiday Gift Guide Nov. 2013 | Page 14

Tips for Busy and Crowded Holidays
The next couple of months are full
of nothing but special events and
crowds – rough for those with kids
with sensory processing issues. The
hyper stimulation of the holiday
season is hard on even the least
sensory sensitive folks, and it can
be challenging to navigate events
that are meant to be joyful
celebrations but often have the
opposite effect on your kid.

going first to see if they offer any
accommodations
for
sensory
sensitivities. You might find they
already have tools in place,
particularly if the event is for
children.
#3. Give Your Family Time To
Move.
There are plenty of holiday
performances and other events that
ask kids to sit still for long periods,
and that might not work for your
kid and your family. If exercise
helps, do that before heading out to
the event, but also be sure to
incorporate opportunities for your
kid to move around if they need it.

It is possible to enjoy holiday
events with every kid – you just
need to take some extra steps to
make sure everyone is okay. Here
are a few simple tips.
#1. Be careful with noisy spaces.
You can still attend loud events,
but prepare your child for the noise,
and offer some support. Earplugs
can be a great tool, as are noise
canceling headphones. It’s also a
good idea to stay close to exits to
quieter areas, just in case you need
to leave quickly.

#4. Let Your Kid Pick Their
Clothes.
Of course we all want the lovely
holiday photo of our kid all dressed

#2. Create a crowd strategy.
So many fun holiday things involve
crowds, and it can be daunting to
consider taking your sensitive kid
to a busy event. However, if you
plan carefully by trying to find less
busy times to see the holiday sites
it can be done. Be sure to scope out
quiet corners at events, as well, so
you will have less crowded options.
Lastly, call the places you are
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