Every year on October 31st, costumed children clutching brightly colored sacks with one hand, and a parent’s hand with the other, take to the streets to go trick-or-treating. The darkness, glowing lawn displays and occasional screech adds another layer of excitement. If you are the parent of a special needs child with autism, you may have added concerns about all the added stimulation…READ ON! Here are 3 Easy Ways Make Halloween more FUN, and less frightful for children.
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1. Shop early for a costume.
Halloween costume shops can be frightening to most children, even more so for autistic children. Since you know your child’s preferences, you can select a costume without having your child accompany you. Most shops allow returns before Halloween night, so I suggest purchasing more than one costume. If your child is nonverbal, present each to your child separately. Return costumes in which your child responds to by running/pushing away or crying. Keep the one(s) in which the child looks at, approaches or touches. If the child shows little to no interest in either of the costumes, try coupling it with a favorite toy or snack and ‘introducing’ it again in subsequent play sessions with your child.
Most Halloween costumes don’t feel great against the skin so a child sensitive to textures will react to their discomfort. Have your child wear an undershirt underneath it. Or, replace the costume altogether with a graphic t-shirt from your local department store. Also, you can pair a character shirt with a skirt/pants.
2. Practice in similar situations.
Introduce your child to environments in which Halloween themed activities are taking place. Your child’s daycare may be hosting a Halloween event. If not, why not suggest they hold one and volunteer your help? It’s a wonderful opportunity for your child to practice knocking on doors and saying ‘Trick-or-Treat’ and “Thank you’ or, if your child is nonverbal, holding up a sign.
Check your local newspaper for community events. Most YMCA chapters host an annual Fall festival complete with kid-friendly activities, costume contests, and candy. The price of admission is usually a canned food item.
3. Plan for safety.
Trick-or-treating on dark streets with children less than focused on their surroundings can present a safety concern. Especially so if your child has a tendency to wander off during outings. Charge your cell phone before heading out and bring it with you. Purchase glow-in the dark bracelets, necklaces, or wands and/or reflective tape for clothes/shoes. Try to stick with other groups of trick-or treaters and ask them to help supervise your child. Have another family member or friend follow along from a safe distance in their vehicle. This will allow provide you with a quick return home if your child is engaging in unsafe behaviors.
Have fun trick-or-treating and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!