Film helps autism families cope

A UK charity has released a film that aims to help families affected by autism cope with the Christmas period.

The National Autistic Society (NAS) film features families from an autism support group in Bristol, who talk about the problems Christmas can cause for children with autism and how they deal with them.

Other families from around the UK are invited to watch the film online and then add to the discussion by filling in a form online or leaving comments on the NAS Facebook page.

NAS said that although most children and young people in the UK looked forward to the festive season, the family get-togethers, decorations, presents, Christmas dinner and holidays from school, often caused anxiety to people with autism.

Changes to routine could be very traumatic to people with autism, the charity added, and lights and noise could cause sensory overload. Crammed shops and visits from extended family could also cause added social pressures.

Jane Smith, mother of a 15-year-old boy with autism, said: “Decorations can be upsetting for my son.

“We cannot have much decoration and the tree has to be set out a certain way. He does not like balloons because he knows they pop and he cannot handle the noise.

To watch the film go to www.autism.org.uk/christmastalk. For more information on the charity or for more tips on dealing with Christmas visit www.autism.org.uk.