12/15/2022
I think this time of year can be very overwhelming for Neurodivergent people with social expectations, confusing customs, and the sensory overwhelm that comes with the festivities.
Here is a basic guide on making an environment more Neurodivergent-Friendly for the festive season, whether at school, work or home. Note that not all of these tips will apply to every ND person, in fact, some might like a ton of blinking lights for example whilst others might hate it - therefore, it is key to understand and ask how best to make your ND family member, friend, colleague etc feel comfortable and safe for the holidays.
If you are non-Autistic or neurotypical then please make these changes where possible. It is a privilege to not be bothered by the feeling of tinsel or the overwhelming crowds in stores and to sacrifice this privilege just to make a neurodivergent person feel comfortable is a kind thing to do.
[There is also a downloadable PDF version on my website]