Excited but Frozen? The Reality of AuDHD Festive Executive Dysfunction

Do you have a brilliant holiday plan but find yourself completely frozen days before it begins? For those of us with ADHD and Autism (AuDHD), the festive season is a perfect storm of disrupted routines, sensory overload, and mounting social obligations.

In this episode of AuDHD Bites, we look at why the holidays trigger such massive Executive Dysfunction. We explore the conflict between the ADHD craving for novelty and the Autistic need for predictability, and how the pressure to be "perfectly thoughtful" can lead to total system shutdown. Learn how to build a holiday that actually fits your brain by shrinking your plans, setting the bar at "thoughtful" rather than perfect, and building in essential recovery time.

Use these timestamps to help you navigate the festive pressure overload:

00:00 Welcome to AuDHD Bites: The Festive Freeze
00:41 Why the Holidays Hit Hard: Disrupted Routines & Sensory Input
01:10 The Conflict: ADHD Novelty vs. Autistic Predictability
01:34 Reframe: You're Not Failing, You're Managing 27 Invisible Expectations
02:18 Building a Holiday That Fits Your Brain (Not Everyone Else's)
02:37 Strategy 1: Shrinking the Plan (The "Half-of-a-Half" Rule)
02:59 Strategy 2: Thoughtful vs. Perfect Gifts
03:20 Strategy 3: Building in Recovery Time (The Soft Landing)
03:34 Strategy 4: Creating Your Own Traditions & Personal Rituals
03:51 You're Not Doing it Wrong, You're Doing it Differently
04:16 Seasonal Support for Neurodivergent Brains


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DISCLAIMER: The content on this channel is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen or heard online or on social media. Take care, humans 🖤