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While some consider Christmas time to be the most wonderful time of the year, for some members of the community it can also be overwhelming. With a change of routine and the emphasis on merriment and festivities, it can be useful to have some extra supports to hand. We’ve put together some helpful resources, signposted to sensory-friendly events, and listed our Christmas opening hours below so you can prepare ahead of time for the festive season.
Below are some resources to help over the festive period:
Santa - A Visual Guide
Christmas - A Visual Guide
Prepare Me – Christmas AsIAm - Gain insights through lived experience on supporting Autistic family members during holidays in this free online course.
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Our Autism Information Line, which you can find HERE can help to:
• Provide you with information on a range of matters that impact Autistic adults, children and their families
• Signpost you to the relevant AsIAm resources
• Direct you to the other relevant organisations and supports
The Information Linewill be open from 10am to 3pm on the following days:
• Thursday, 19 December
• Monday, 23 December
• Monday, 30 December
All other days we are open as normal: There are three main ways to get in touch:
If you would prefer to speak to one of our team: Monday – Thursday 10am - 3pm Call 0818 234 234
Instant Messaging is available: Monday – Thursday 10- 3pm
If you would prefer to write to us: email support@asiam.ie or use the Contact Form HERE any day of the week.
We are thrilled to bring The Christmas Market AsIAm back for a second year running.
Please join us on the day to support Autistic creatives who will be selling their fantastic wares - crafts, foods and more. Admission to the event is free. All under 18s must be accompanied by an adult at all times. We still have some stalls available for Autistic community members who would like to showcase and sell their products. If you would like to showcase your talents on a stall at our Christmas Market, please fill out an expression of interest form HERE.
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We’ve put together a list of Autistic-run small businesses which you can buy from directly!
@headhamsters
Head Hamsters is run by Autistic Artist Rebecca, who specialises in personalised gifts. These gifts are made from sustainable materials and is 100% Irish. You can message Rebecca directly to place an order via her Instagram.
@coyne0000
Roisin Coyne is an Irish autistic author, who published her first Novel when she was 18 years old in 2023. Her second novel has recently been released. You can purchase Roisin’s books HERE.
You can find more gift ideas from the AsIAm Store, which is located HERE.
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Mollie Moo's Pet Farm & Playground
Sensory Santa (Monaghan)
Friday, December 6, 4pm-7pm
Sensory Santa (Drogheda)
https://sensoryspace.ie/
Saturday, December 7 - Click the link above to book a slot
Westport House Sensory Santa (Mayo)
https://www.westporthouse.ie/2023/06/26/sensory-santa-2024/
December 4 - 4pm-9.30pm
Santa's Enchanted Christmas (Enniscorthy)
https://santasenchantedchristmas.ie/sensory-booking/
Visits Friday, December 6 and Friday, December 13 from 3pm
Sensory Santa (Lucan)
https://littlekneaders.com/product/sensory-santa-16th-december-2024-6pm/
Monday, December 16 from 6pm
Delta Sensory Gardens (Carlow)
https://www.facebook.com/events/delta-sensory-gardens-carlow-2024/sensory-santa-experience/2480055915377165/
Saturday, December 14, 12pm-6pm
Sensory Santa (The Square Tallaght)
https://www.facebook.com/TheSqTallaght/photos/%EF%B8%8F-sensory-santa-sessions-%EF%B8%8Fmeet-santa-olaf-and-enjoy-bubbles-puppets-and-gentle-p/761618016009591/?_rdr
Sunday, December 17 Slots between 10am and 1pm
Elf Town (Galway) will host two sensory friendly experiences this year.
www.Elftowngalway.ie
Friday, 17 December: Entry Time 1pm - 1:30pm & Saturday, 18 December: Entry Time 8:30am - 9am
North Pole (Cork)
www.northpolecork.com/asd-friendly-day
Wednesday, December 11 from 3pm, Thursday, December 12 from 7.15pm
Sensory Santa Winterfest Manorhamilton (Leitrim) (Times to be confirmed)
https://www.facebook.com/p/Winter-Fest-Manorhamilton-100088064437524/
Trim(Trim Autism Friendly Town) Sensory Santa Experience
Tuesday, December 16
MCC My Canine Companion Sensory Santa -
Sunday, December 8, Cork Link HERE.
Christmas in Killarney Magical Parades
December 7
December 14
December 21
Each parade begins at 6:00 PM
There is pre-parade entertainment starting at 5:30pm, enjoy pre-parade festivities featuring Mickey, Minnie, stunning Snow Queens and their Magical Horses. There will also be amazing and talented dancers performing on the route. There is a specific autism-friendly viewing area located at Áras Phádraig on Lewis Road. This is a nice space for families to hang out, blow bubbles, enjoy some sensory toys, lighting and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate.
Check out @autismfriendlykillarney for more details, including a visual guide.
Christmas in Killarney’s Santa’s Grotto.
Book HERE.
Christmas in Killarney are delighted to welcome Santa back for some well-deserved rest before Christmas. Santa has special memories of Deenagh Lodge in Killarney National Park; he can remember his first time delivering Christmas gifts to the cottage on Christmas Eve 1837! Santa’s elves have been working hard to make this event sensory safe and inclusive.They have a created a visual guide so everyone knows what to expect. Lanyards are also available so that Santa can take extra care.
