5yo DS has recently had an autism/asperger's diagnosis.
Last Christmas was horrible, particularly after the day itself. The lowest point was when I got kicked in the face driving home from the panto.
We are at a bit of a loss as to how best to approach Christmas in order that we can all navigate it more successfully this year.
From talking with DS, he thinks that Christmas starts on 1 December - unclear where it ends. He likes that he gets presents, sweets and treats.
We have usually visited/visits from both of our parents over Christmas. We spent Christmas day at home by ourselves for the first time last year, to try to reduce stress (this was pre diagnosis). We visited the different grandparents on other days in the school holidays.
DS was in reception last year, and I don't think he did too well with the major disruption associated with rehearsing for the school Christmas play. As he only stood there and vaguely did the actions for the second performance of the show, and only said his one short line for the third performance (just stood there for all the songs), I was wondering about asking whether he could just do stuff with his one-to-one during the rehearsal time this year.
We would really appreciate hearing about how other families manage things to get the balance between DC getting to join in the fun without getting so overwhelmed that it is all too much.