Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support

Christmas Sensory Checklists

Children with sensory differences ... painting the world beautiful.

Christmas Sensory Checklists

Jeanette Loftus

While most find Christmas a magical time of year, for children with sensory processing disorder, it can be a very overwhelming time. Bright lights, loud music and new smells can trigger sensory overload, leading to anxiety and sensory meltdowns.

To help children get through Christmas, it's so important to understand and prepare for the sensory overload they may experience. These Christmas tips could help identify potential sensory triggers for your child and implement sensory tools or sensory strategies for a more positive holiday experience. Children with sensory differences may either overreact or underreact to sensory input, which can affect them daily. The eight sensory systems include:

Vestibular (balance and movement)
Proprioceptive (body awareness)
Interoceptive (internal body sensations)
Visual (sight)
Gustatory (taste)
Auditory (hearing)
Tactile (touch)
Olfactory (smell)

It is important to be mindful of your child's these sensory needs during the Christmas season, we can create a more inclusive and enjoyable environment for children who struggle with sensory processing disorder. This Christmas guide includes different sensory inputs to help parents make the season bright and sensory-friendly for their children.

Visual Christmas Checklist (Sight)

Visual sensory processing potential sensory triggers could be flashing lights on Christmas trees or decorations, crowded shopping malls and stores, stimulating wrapping paper and busy holiday gatherings. Some sensory tools that could be calming for a child would be spaces with dimmed lighting or offer the child some sunglasses. Sights and lights are a part of the Christmas experience but they may also overwhelm some children.

Auditory Christmas Checklist (Hearing)

Auditory potential sensory triggers could be loud people singing carols, Christmas music, chatter or the doorbell ringing. Some sensory tools they could find beneficial may be earplugs, noise-cancelling headphones or a play list with some calming music. Festive music and loud gatherings can overstimulate a child.

Tactile Christmas Checklist (Touch)

Tactile sensory potential sensory triggers could be textures of wrapping paper, itchy clothing, cold snow, sticky candy or being hugged or crowded. Using different sensory tools can help such as soft blankets, weighted lap pads, textured toys or a child's preferred sensory friendly clothing. Touch sensitivity can make everyday activities difficult for children who struggle with sensory processing difficulties, particularly during the holiday season.

Interoceptive Christmas Checklist (Internal Body Sensations)

Interoception sensory processing potential triggers could be changes in a child's usual routine, sensory overstimulation leading to feelings of hunger, feeling full and being in crowded spaces. Using different sensory tools could be helpful such as a visual schedules, deep breathing exercises and opportunities throughout the day for sensory movement breaks.

Interoception allows individuals to perceive their internal state which helps with managing their emotions. While not always easy to identify, creating a calming holiday environment for children with sensory processing differences can help with their interoceptive processing.

- Remind your child to drink and eat healthy snacks throughout their day

- Establish a predictable routine for meals, bathroom breaks and bedtime

- Encourage mindfulness activities to help them become more aware of internal sensations

- Consistent mealtimes and bedtimes during the holidays

- Be mindful of their food preferences

- Teach your child mindful breathing exercises to help them stay regulated

- Offer holiday treats and snacks that include a range of flavors and textures

- Create a sensory corner with soft pillows and calming sensory tools

Gustatory Christmas Checklist (Taste)

Gustatory sensory processing potential sensory triggers could be new or unfamiliar foods, strong flavors like gingerbread or candy canes and textures of different food items. Offering familiar food options, sensory-friendly snacks and smaller portions could be helpful. Food can be a big part of holiday celebrations and this can be very overwhelming for some children.

Proprioception Christmas Checklist (Body Awareness)

Proprioception sensory processing potential sensory triggers could be being tightly hugged, crowded spaces, and lack of opportunities for doing their sensory activities or heavy work activities like pushing or pulling. They can use different sensory tools such as weighted blankets, heavy work activities like pushing or pulling and sensory activities like building with blocks or squeezing playdough.

Proprioceptive processing is associated with body awareness and understanding muscular movement. For children with sensory processing disorder, issues with proprioception can often lead to increased anxiety or sensory meltdowns during Christmas.

Vestibular Christmas Checklist (Balance and Movement)

Vestibular potential sensory triggers could be moving overwhelming decorations and sudden movements from a lot of people around them. There are several sensory tools to provide a child with the vestibular sensory input they need such as swinging, rocking activities, sensory swings or chances for slower movement such as walking or dancing.

Vestibular processing involves the inner ear, responsible for the perception of movement, balance and spatial orientation. During the holidays, children might experience sensory vestibular overload.

- Offer gentle swings or rocking in a chair

- Limit driving or traveling during the holidays to avoid overstimulation

- Use sensory swings or similar activities to allow children to self-regulate their vestibular input

- Schedule sensory activities throughout the day to release energy and regulate their sensory systems

- Sensory obstacle course with pillows, blankets, tunnels or soft chairs to crawl under, climb or jump over

- Take a nature walks and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season

Olfactory Christmas Checklist (Smell)

Olfactory potential sensory triggers could be strong scents of a pine Christmas tree, holiday candles, spices like cinnamon or perfumes. Using different sensory tools could be very beneficial such as essential oil diffusers with calming scents like lavender.

If you use these sensory Christmas checklists for the eight sensory systems, you can address your child's potential sensory triggers and provide them with the tools and strategies they need to get through the holiday season with joy. Addressing these different sensory inputs, parents can ensure that the holiday season is more enjoyable and stress-free for children with sensory processing disorder. It's important to understand your child's sensory needs and find practical sensory solutions that will work for your family.

- Create a sensory friendly environment for the holidays

- Include sensory diet breaks throughout Christmas to help your child stay regulated

- Communicate with family and friends about your child's sensory needs

- Create a Christmas schedule that includes a familiar routines

- Pack a tool kit with sensory tools such as fidgets, noise canceling headphones and comfort items

- Allow your child to participate in Christmas activities without pressure and expectations

- Monitor your child's sensory limits and be ready to take a sensory break if they need one

- Celebrate your child's small successes and progress during the holidays

If you make a few adjustments to your holiday plans and traditions, you can create the perfect sensory-Christmas that is enjoyable by all children. Remember that each child is unique and their sensory needs may be different than others. Ask your child's occupational therapist for sensory strategies that you could try that will work for your child during the holidays. Merry Christmas!