Health library

Nov. 24, 2025—For many families, festive gatherings are part of the holiday celebrations. But they're not always easy for people with sensory-processing issues.

For instance, crowds, loud noises or bright lights can be triggering for people on the autism spectrum and those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If sensory processing issues or sensory overload are a challenge for you or your child, try these strategies, based on information from the Child Mind Institute and Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD):

Practice staying calm ahead of time. You might try mindfulness techniques like breathing exercises and positive self-talk—I've got this! Getting plenty of rest the night before can also help.

Communicate with the host. If you think you or your child might have a hard time at an event, let the host know. They'll be in a better position to support you.

Avoid surprises. People with sensory issues may struggle more if you surprise them with a holiday activity or event. Let them know where you're going, what will happen there and how long you'll be there.

Bring some items that soothe. For instance, earphones can block out loud noises. A favorite stuffed animal or a fidget toy can be calming.

Take breaks. If it gets to be too much for you or your child, take a short break. Maybe that's a 10-minute walk away from the fray or a quiet moment in the car or in another room.

Psst, holiday hosts: To help make your gathering sensory-friendly, you might prepare a break room where guests can recharge. You could include pillows, books or simple crafts to help them relax.

Have a plan for what to do if someone gets overwhelmed. For instance, you might agree on a signal that the overloaded person needs a break or is ready to go home. It could be something as simple as a wave from across the room.

If you have more than one child, you may want to arrange for a trusted adult to drive kids who want to stay at the party home if you need to make an early exit. This way, you can help all of your children have a positive experience.

Discover more ways to stay on top of holiday stress and prioritize the joys of the season in our Holiday Health topic center.

Sources

• Child Mind Institute. "24 Ways to Make the Holidays Kid-Friendly." https://childmind.org/article/how-to-make-holidays-kid-friendly.
• Child Mind Institute. "Sensory-Friendly Party Ideas." https://childmind.org/article/sensory-friendly-party-ideas.
• Child Mind Institute. "Sensory Processing Issues Explained." https://childmind.org/article/sensory-processing-issues-explained.
• Child Mind Institute. "Summer and Sensory Processing Issues." https://childmind.org/article/summer-and-sensory-processing-issues.
• Child Mind Institute. "Tips for Going Places With Sensory-Challenged Kids." https://childmind.org/article/tips-for-going-places-with-sensory-challenged-kids.
• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. "Choose What's Important to You to Reduce Holiday Stress." https://chadd.org/adhd-weekly/choose-whats-important-to-you-to-reduce-holiday-stress.