St Paul's C.E Primary School

SEND at Christmas

Some Resources to support your child 

Christmas Season is upon us and at QEST / PIP they receive messages regarding autistic individuals , over the festive period .

Christmas is a time celebration, but it can be difficult for some people!

                            https://reachoutasc.com/autism-and-christmas-teachers-are-you-ready/

Planning and preparation is key in making Christmas as enjoyable as possible !

Some reasons why Autistic pupils find Christmas tricky?

•        Changes in the usual routines at school and at home

•        Unstructured times

•        Christmas play and rehearsals- rehearsals can be stressful as this adds to the ‘difference’ from usual routine.

•        Decorations going up in school and at home

•        Christmas parties; noise, crowds, food

•        Santa Claus himself can be very scary!

•        SENSORY OVERLOADING!

What can you do to help?

ü Try to keep favoured routines in place

ü Warn of any change using your usual visual supports and timers as necessary

ü Carefully monitor for signs of stress and anxiety

ü Ask yourself ‘does Fred need to do every practice or come shopping?’

ü Keep using those visuals – incorporate Social Stories !

ü Involve your autistic pupil in planning – decorations , crafts , plays ……

ü Continue to go with what the child is interested in -.  For example, if they like Lego, let them make a Lego Christmas tree, scene or angel.

ü Have quiet spaces and calm corners in school  ( no decorations !!! ) for the autistic child or young person to go if overload creeps in

ü Have a stack of work they can access that they may prefer to do when others are doing something they find uninteresting or overwhelming.

ü Have a box of toys, activities and magazines connected to their special interests that they can access during the less structured time

“Christmas is really about a little baby that was born to bring hope to the world.  No-one was meant to be excluded from that simple message.  I hope that in our classrooms we can do all we can to include everyone in what should be a simple and hopeful time of light in the darkest part of the year.”

With good planning and clear communication, your children and young people will have an enjoyable Christmas.

×         https://reachoutasc.com/autism-and-christmas-teachers-are-you-ready/

×         https://autismunderstood.co.uk/social-stuff/surviving-the-festive-season/

×         https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/christmas-resources

×         https://www.widgit.com/resources/seasonal/christmas/index.htm