Being sensory sensitive or autistic can add some tricks and scares to Halloween. See this holiday through our neurodiverse childrens’ eyes and make slight adjustments to make it more memorable, enjoyable, (and tolerable) for them and you. Here are some tips and tricks (or treats) for a successful Halloween.
Think about your typical day. We have a daily schedule, familiar people, preferred clothing, predictable foods, and comfortable surroundings that we live with each day. We all find comfort in routines and predictability. During holidays, starting with Halloween, the familiar, structure, and routines get changed. We may adjust for the season, but neurodiverse minded children may have greater difficulty. Adjusting to all the changes can result in increased behaviors, less tolerance for typical routines, altered bedtimes and sleep patterns, and emotional disregulation.
Let’s unpack Halloween and how it may feel for a sensory sensitive individual. Halloween can be confusing for an autistic person or sensory sensitive person as the people around are actually excited about:
- wearing odd feeling costumes
- decorating with bright lights and unpredictable loud sound effects
- haunting lawns with plastic figures that look like dead creatures
- going to strangers’ homes (didn’t we learn to say no to strangers?) to get free candy
Make Halloween more enjoyable with these simple tips:
- Pick out a costume based on comfort. If your child wants to be a princess, instead of buying one with scratchy fabric, make one of clothes they like and have already. Have the child pick out accessories (a crown, a wand) that the child feels important using.
- Pick out a costume based on your child’s interest. Allow your child to wear what they want (even if it doesn’t match) and let them take pride in what they select. If you buy a costume, get it a size larger so your child can wear their own clothes underneath.
- Create a story about Halloween to explain what the child can expect, what events the child can participate in, and explain unexpected things that may be scary.
On Halloween, I will wear my princess costume. I can wear my favorite comfy socks under my dress. I walk in the neighborhood with my mom. I carry my bag to put candy in. It is ok to knock on the door and say “trick or treat.” The person will open the door and will give me candy. The person might say they like my costume. I smile and say “thank you”. I see silly decorations that look like goofy monsters and skeletons. The decorations are only pretend, I can look the other way if I don’t like them. I am safe walking with my mom. I am safe if I hear loud noises. I have fun on Halloween. I go home after trick or treating.
- Explain to your child that people put on masks or face paint to act out another character. It is just their friend under the mask or paint. They are just pretending. You can ask the friend to remove the mask for a moment so your child can see who it is (and not a scary monster).
- In the weeks leading up to Halloween, practice wearing the costume and have the mask lying around to play with. It will help your child become comfortable with the new items so when the actual event comes, it will feel more natural to dress up.
- Trick or treat at familiar houses or neighborhoods.
- Trick or treat earlier in the evening when it is not as dark. Bring a flashlight or put a glowstick necklace or bracelet on your child (let them pick out the color to encourage buy in).
I hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks (or treats) for a successful Halloween!