đDownload the 2nd edition of A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas
And join us for two holiday celebrations!
A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas returns for the 2025 holiday season - and itâs a bumper 78 pages!
Download your copy now đ
âď¸ Scroll down for Christmas event details or click here to get tickets for the Winter Holiday Community Event and here for the Festive SpInfodump Session
Whatâs A Community Guide to a Happy Neurodivergent Christmas all about?
đ Inside the guide youâll find the original insights, alongside brand new pieces from even more neurodivergent advocates, professionals and parents.
đŚ Christmas may still be a few weeks away, but weâre making this available at the beginning of November because a neurodivergent-friendly version can take a bit of planning. Donât worry if you canât think about it until nearer the time - there will still be steps you can take to ensure itâs as stress-free as possible.
đ đť Everyone is different. Some people love Christmas time and everything about it. It might even be a passionate interest. Some feel the exact opposite. Most are somewhere in the middle and are happy to get involved if itâs done in a way that isnât overwhelming. This is all about doing what feels right for you.
đ If youâre neurotypical, the guide will hopefully help you to understand and empathise with a broader range of neurodivergent experiences.
âď¸ Neurotypical ways of enjoying Christmas are perfectly valid, but they arenât the only - or even the âcorrectâ - ways of doing so. You may never even have considered some of the topics covered here, so there may be a chance to reflect and consider how differently some of those around you may be experiencing them.
đ There are lots of neuronormative ideas and expectations about what Christmas âshouldâ look like and what people âshouldâ be doing. These are all made up by society. Some people enjoy them, and for others they can be overwhelming, exhausting, and completely unhelpful. There is no âcorrectâ - only what works for you and those around you. If you and your family love all the standard expectations of Christmas then you can continue to enjoy them. But if parts arenât working then itâs ok to reconsider what the festive period looks like for you.
đ This ebook is completely free for everyone. Youâre welcome to send a copy to schools, groups, clients, family, professionals, or anyone else you think could benefit.
Contributors
This expanded second edition covers even more neurodivergent experiences. Children and families still play a major part, but thereâs more adult-focused content too.
Youâre welcome to join us for an online Winter Holiday Community Event organised by Laura Hellfeld in aid of Autistic Inclusive Meets.
Itâs designed to be a relaxed and low-demand space for the community to come together. It will take place from 6.30 to 8.30pm UK time on Wednesday, December 3rd.
đ§đťââ Weâll be joined by some of the guideâs contributors, and weâre delighted that Courtney Freedman-Thompson of Chameleon Coaching will guide us through somatic self-care practices.
These are a grounding and nurturing way to reconnect with ourselves and find calm amid the winter bustle. Courtneyâs sessions have been a highlight of past events, and weâre thrilled to have her with us again.
đ¤ The evening will also feature a live musical performance by singer-songwriter Amity. Amity is an Ambassador of AIM and recipient of the Royal Albert Hallâs Future Maker Award. His music will bring heart and artistry to our celebration, and weâre so excited to share in his talent.
A few things to note:
âď¸ Tickets are limited
âď¸ The event wonât be recorded
âď¸ Donations can be any amount and are non-refundable as all money is going to AIM
âď¸ The event is being run by unpaid neurodivergent volunteers
âď¸ Itâs up to parent/carer discretion whether or not young people may attend
Get your ticket here
On Tuesday, December 9th from 5.30 to 7pm, guide contributor Marion McLaughlin of Autistic Pride Aberdeen and Aurora Consulting is hosting a FESTIVE SPINFODUMP SESSION where you can listen to Autistic people talk about their passionate interests, or even share your own.
I attended their event for Autistic Pride Day and it was a fantastic celebration of Autistic joy. You donât need to be based in Scotland to take part, and Autistics and allies are welcome.
Tickets are free!
Thank you for this! It's making me feel better about finding Christmas a difficult time.