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Decoding the Christmas Chaos
There is some really helpful advice here for December, but these ideas can be used at any busy or overwhelming time of year – such as birthdays, Eid, holidays, or family events. We hope you find these strategies useful.
🎄 Christmas – not always the “most wonderful time”
Christmas is often described as a magical time filled with lights, music, family and presents. However, for many families of neurodivergent children, the experience can feel very different.
Instead of excitement, it can bring:
- Sensory overload
- Social anxiety
- Changes in behaviour
Understanding why this happens is the first step towards making things easier.
⚠️ Why Christmas Can Be Tough
1. Sensory overload
Christmas can be overwhelming:
- Flashing lights and decorations
- Loud music and busy environments
- Strong smells (e.g. candles, food, trees)
- Uncomfortable clothing
For some children, this can lead to meltdowns, shutdowns or distress.
2. Disrupted routines
Many children rely on structure and predictability. During the holidays:
- Bedtimes may change
- Mealtimes shift
- Visitors come and go
This disruption can cause anxiety and uncertainty.
3. Social pressures
Gatherings with family and friends may feel difficult due to:
- Unfamiliar people
- Expectations to join in
- Pressure to behave in certain ways
This can be overwhelming and stressful.
4. Unrealistic expectations
The idea of a “perfect Christmas” can put pressure on families. Children often pick up on adult stress, which can increase their own anxiety.
✅ What You Can Do to Help
Create a sensory safe space
Set up a calm, quiet area your child can go to when they feel overwhelmed.
Include:
- Soft blankets
- Favourite toys
- Headphones or calming items
Keep routines where possible
Try to maintain familiar:
- Bedtimes
- Mealtimes
- Daily rhythms
Even small routines can provide comfort.
Prepare your child in advance
Help your child understand what will happen:
- Talk through plans
- Use visual timetables or social stories
- Give clear expectations
Set realistic expectations
There is no “perfect” Christmas. Focus on:
- Your child’s comfort
- Shared moments
- What works for your family
💛 You Are Not Alone
Many families experience these challenges – and support is always available.
At St Augustine’s, there are trusted adults you can talk to, including:
- Teachers
- Social workers
- Health professionals
- Police
Parents and carers are also there to keep you safe, support your wellbeing and help you succeed.
All children have the right to:
- Feel safe
- Be supported when things are difficult
- Take part in activities they enjoy
🤝 Working Together to Support You
The guidance “Working Together to Safeguard Children” explains how professionals work together to:
- Keep you safe
- Listen to your voice
- Provide the right help at the right time
Sometimes quick decisions need to be made to protect children. When this happens, adults should always explain:
- What is happening
- Why it is happening
🌟 Remember
No matter where you are, there will always be people you can reach out to for help. You are supported, you are listened to, and you matter.
Mental Health & Wellbeing Support
There are a range of local and national services available to support both children and families with mental health and wellbeing.
📍 Local Support – Help in Preston
Preston City Council and its partners have developed the Help in Preston website, which provides a comprehensive directory of local services and support.
There is a dedicated page for mental health support, linked below:
👉 Mental Health Support in Preston - https://www.helpinpreston.com/article/4719/Mental-Health-Support
This work supports the priorities of the Preston Health and Wellbeing Board, which places a strong focus on improving mental health across the community.
👨👩👧 Support for Parents and Carers
If you are looking for guidance on supporting your child’s mental health, the following resource offers practical, easy-to-follow advice:
👉 https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/
You may also find this resource helpful:
📘 The Expert Parent’s Guide to Childhood Anxiety
This guide provides valuable insights and strategies to help children manage anxiety.
🌱 Top Tips for Good Mental Health and Wellbeing
Dr Alex George, Youth Mental Health Ambassador, has shared his Top 5 Tips for supporting young people’s mental health and wellbeing. These are available via the Department for Education’s YouTube channel.
Dr Alex brings both:
- Professional experience as an A&E doctor
- Personal insight following the loss of his brother
He also contributes to national work through the Mental Health in Education Action Group, helping to improve support in schools, colleges and universities.
🧠 NHS Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing
The NHS offers simple, effective guidance to improve mental wellbeing:
👉 https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/
These five steps are:
- Connect with others
- Be physically active
- Learn new skills
- Give to others
- Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
It only takes a few minutes to read, but the impact can be long-lasting.
🎥 Further Support
In addition to the links above, we are sharing a series of videos and activities to support the wellbeing of all members of our school community.
Episode 1 - Anxiety
Episode 2 - Communicating about Mental Health
Episode 3 - Social Media & Self Image
Episode 4 - Stress & Coping Strategies
Episode 5 - Depression
Episode 6 - Eating Disorders & Body Image
Episode 7 - Beliefs, Self-Esteem & Confidence
Episode 8 - Resilience, Peer-Pressure & Bullying
Episode 9 - Mindfulness & Visualisation
Kooth
Kooth Northwest - Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
Kooth provide free, safe and anonymous support to all young people on Kooth.com across the North. All resources and engagement offers are free for schools, services and young people to access. It is commissioned by the CCG and is staffed by clinical psychologists and accredited counsellors.
3a. Kooth's_Providing_an_Online_Service_brochure_Final_280322
3b. Kooth Lancashire April Newsletter
At the bottom of this page are the latest (September 24) advice and links for supporting your child through difficult times. We really encourage families to access these resources - children don't come with a handbook!
Transition to High school.
It is really common that children worry about transitioning to their new high school - it is venturing into the unknown.
To help reduce any anxieties, we work with local high schools, facilitate transition meetings here and at the new school, plus offer lots of support for children who need that extra time to prepare.
You may feel this booklet here is helpful for you and your child: Supporting a happy and mentally healthy transition to high school
Lancashire Positive Minds Parent/Carer Support Group
Anxiety / Obsessions and Compulsions / Depression /Self Harm/Eating Disorders / Psychosis / Suicidal Thoughts / Autism/Low Mood / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Borderline Personality Disorders / Self Esteem and confidence issues and more.
Supporting a child, whatever age, with Neurodiverse and Mental Health difficulties and needs can be really challenging, isolating, emotionally, physically and mentally exhausting. You are not alone!
Come along to the group, meet with other likeminded Parents/Carers in similar situations and get both peer and professional support in a confidential, safe environment. The Group is very much parent led but professionally supported who can provide support, advice, guidance, practical tips and strategies, topic discussions and guest speakers all whilst you can have some time for you and have a cup of tea/coffee.
Preston Group Meet - Second Thursday of the month from 6.30-8pm
Contact the below number for further details.
Email: Lancashirepositiveminds@gmail.com/Telephone– 07824 042908/Instagram:Lancashire_Positive_Minds
Twitter:Lancashirepositiveminds@lancashireminds/ www.Lancashirepositiveminds.co.uk
Need to talk?
Talkzone is part of the wider Children and Family Wellbeing Service Offer and operates every day from 2pm till 10pm including weekends and bank holidays. We have professional and friendly advisors who can give impartial advice and information on a wide range of issues. We can also signpost young people and families to group work sessions or one-to-one support.
Talkzone can be contacted by:
Telephone 0800 51 11 11
Text 07786 51 11 11
Email talkzone@lancashire.gov.uk
Online chat Youth Zone - Get in Touch - Lancashire County Council
