Happy Halloween! Here are some tips for a more inclusive and safe Halloween for children with Autism:
Before Halloween:
- Use a social story about Halloween to help your child become familiar with what to expect on that day – this will set the stage for what will probably happen on Halloween. Preparing your child beforehand can help make situations less surprising, scary or uncomfortable.
- Hang an “Autism Friendly” sign on your door/windows to let visitors know your home is Autism friendly – this shows that your household is safe for trick-or-treaters with Autism.
- Costumes are fun for some children but irritating for others. Shopping for the right costume beforehand will allow your child to try on certain ones and pick the one that makes them the most comfortable.
The Day Of
- Remind your child that Halloween decorations are pretend – explaining to your child that none of the decorations are real or harmful will help your child have a more calm experience. One way to explain why people decorate in such a way is to say, “Decorations are a silly way people celebrate Halloween. They are meant to be funny and entertaining!”
- Be aware of moving decorations, such as fog machines, flashing lights, mobile fixtures, etc. – if you are able to spot the moving decorations before your child, you can give them a heads up that something silly might happen at this particular house, like fog or a fixture that pops up. Your child may request to skip a house like this, and that is totally OK!
- Take a sensory toy or headphones when you go somewhere that might have loud noises – this will help “calm down” the external stimuli in the environment.
- If your child is very uncomfortable with Halloween decorations, large crowds, loud noises, etc., and you believe your child ultimately will not be able to enjoy Halloween day, opt for a sensory-friendly Halloween event in your area. For example, many communities host “Trunk or Treats” or specific times/areas for children with sensory needs to Trick-or-Treat.
- Trick-or-Treating can be super fun, but also super overwhelming. For children that are non-verbal or cannot express their needs, you may opt to use a trick-or-treat container that indicates they may not say “trick-or-treat.” For example, the “blue pumpkin initiative” is a Halloween awareness campaign that uses blue pumpkins to identify trick-or-treaters with Autism. Alternatively, you may order or create your own custom Halloween bag for your child that has the Autism symbol. You can also use a typical Halloween bag and help your child navigate each trick-or-treat opportunity by using prompting, positive reinforcement, redirection, etc.
Safety
- Take a picture of your child before you take them trick-or-treating. This will ensure that you have a recent picture of your child in their costume, or whatever attire they were wearing at that time.
- If you allow your child to trick-or-treat independently, have them wear light up sneakers, glow stick bracelets or reflective costumes/clothing so that they are easy to spot in the dark.
- Wear something that distinguishes you from the crowd so your child can easily find you.
- Make sure your child has identification on them and a way to communicate in case they get lost. If your child is nonverbal, it would be a good idea to have a contact card with your child that states your name and cell phone number.
Remember: Halloween activities should be fun, comfortable and safe for everyone. Be in tune with your child’s wants and needs, as small modifications, like the ones listed above, can have a huge impact on your child’s Halloween experience!