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Managing Halloween for Children with Autism: Tips for a Fun and Stress-Free Experience
- October 21, 2024
- Posted by: Louise Scrivener
- Category: blog
Managing Halloween for Children with Autism: Tips for a Fun and Stress-Free Experience
Halloween is just around the corner! It can be a really fun time of the year, but it can also be scary for neurodivergent children for more than one reason.
It can be difficult for those children who struggle with sensory processing and unexpected changes. The adverts on TV are different and even their favourite food packaging may suddenly have a Halloween theme. Halloween decorations can be found in their school, people’s houses and shop windows. There may be a different routine at school and a pressure to wear colourful and scratchy costumes.
These changes to the environment and routine can trigger a lot of anxiety and leave children feeling completely overwhelmed. Whatever your plans, simple changes and preparations can help to ease stress and anxiety.
So we thought we’d share some tips to help ensure your child has a positive experience.
Be prepared
Preparation is key to reducing anxiety and making Halloween enjoyable. Start by discussing what Halloween involves: trick-or-treating, costumes, and decorations. Use visual aids, such as pictures or social stories, to help your child understand what to expect.
https://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/socialstory_trickortreat2023.pdf
Pick a costume that is comfortable
Choose a costume that your child will feel comfortable wearing. If your child is unsure about wearing a costume, you could offer a Halloween accessory or an item of clothing that suits your child’s sensory needs (e.g., a Halloween themed sweatshirt).
Remember…Don’t feel pressured to fit in with the “spooky” theme. Your child could choose to wear something that represents their passions and interests!
Plan Trick-or-Treating
You can’t predict what you will be facing when you open the door on Halloween and the doorbell constantly ringing can be upsetting for those with noise sensitivities. Therefore, you may want to consider leaving a polite note on the door to basically say “No thank you”. You could always leave some treats by the front door for children to help themselves.
If your child is keen to take part in this Halloween tradition, you could go early in the evening when the streets are less crowded. Or if your child struggles with unexpected events, you could pre-arrange visits to friends and family. I love the idea of collecting different parts of a play-set (e.g., a lego model) that can be built when you get home.
Plan a Halloween that makes your family happy
Get dressed up and stay at home! Put on the disco lights, get the bubble machine on the go and play with glow in the dark toys. Have a spooky movie night and eat all your favourite treats. You could play Halloween themed games (We love pin the hat on the witch!) or get your arts and crafts stash out to decorate your living room. Then end the day by getting all cosy and reading your favourite Halloween themed stories together.
Remember…every child’s experience is unique. Involve your child in the planning and think about what makes them happy, You do you!