Halloween is an exciting time of year. There are imaginative costumes, fun decorations, and plenty of sweet treats! Every weekend seems to just fill up with hayrides, pumpkin picking, and harvest festivals.
If your child is on the autism spectrum, and has sensitivities to unexpected changes, unfamiliar textures, and intense stimuli, these festivities may also present some challenges.
At Ready Set Connect, we encourage our families to participate in every holiday in a way in which everyone can enjoy. After talking to our staff, here are some tips they have for you as you prepare your autistic child for Halloween.
- Use Visuals to Prepare Your Child
The best way to begin preparing your child for the holiday is by using visuals. You can create a social story that includes pictures of decorations they might see, such as jack-o-lanterns or fake cobwebs, and explain that these are just fun decorations and not real. You can walk through what they might encounter, from spooky lawn displays to costumes. By giving them visuals of what to expect, you help to demystify the day and reduce anxiety.
- Practice the Routine
Before Halloween night, take time to practice the trick-or-treating routine with a friend, neighbor, or family member. Walk the route during daylight hours to familiarize your child with the path they’ll take. Practice ringing doorbells and receiving treats to help make the actual event more predictable and manageable. Rehearsing like this will provide your child with a clear expectation of what’s to come. ABA therapy can help you practice this routine.
- Make Trick-or-Treating Comfortable
If you feel hesitant taking your child trick-or-treating, there are things you can do to make the experience a little easier. Consider heading out while it’s still light outside to reduce any anxiety associated with the dark and the crowds that come out later. Give them a glow stick or flashlight, if possible, to help them be in control of the light. This also helps you see them more easily.
Before you go out, and as you are walking around, emphasize safety guidelines and give reminders about rules for crossing streets and approaching homes.
- Choose Comfortable Costumes
As your child chooses what to be for Halloween, or you choose for them, select something that is comfortable. For children with sensory sensitivities, costumes that can be worn over regular clothes, like capes or butterfly wings, can be ideal choices.
Have your child try on their costume several times before Halloween to make sure they are comfortable wearing it. If they don’t like it, don’t force them to wear it; instead, find ways to make it more wearable for them.
- Follow Their Lead
With children on the autism spectrum, it is important to be attentive to their comfort levels and be ready to adapt the plan if needed. If trick-or-treating becomes overwhelming, it’s perfectly okay to visit only a few houses or even celebrate your own way at home. Giving out candy can be a fun activity if your child prefers to stay in their familiar environment.
- Do Your Own Thing
There’s no rule that says you must go trick-or-treating. Alternative activities like going to a daytime trunk-or-treat event, having a family Halloween movie night, or having a small get together with familiar faces can be just as festive, and a lot less stressful. Don’t feel pressured to do what other people are doing if it doesn’t work for your family.
Halloween should be a fun time for everyone. By taking steps to prepare for the holiday, you can create fun memories for your whole family. If you’re looking for more strategies or need support in preparing for holidays and other events, please reach out to us. Our team is here to help!
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