Tailor Halloween to Meet Your Child"s Needs
Updated March 26, 2015.
For children on the spectrum, Halloween is tough. New sensations, new social expectations, scratchy costumes, and even pretend play can be extremely challenging. Fortunately, parents can tailor the Halloween experience for their child's individual preferences and challenges. Here are resources and ideas to do just that.
Here are step by step ideas for modifying and previewing the Halloween experience so that it's fun, rather than challenging, for you and your child.More »
This collection of Halloween tips from the About.com Guide to Special Needs Parenting includes all kinds of resources ranging from Trick or Treat cards for non-verbal kids to ideas for making costumes comfier.More »
This article explains what a social story is, and how to create one. Your challenge will be to take photos and write short descriptions to prepare your child for the experiences, expectations, and outcomes he or she can expect on Halloween night.More »
The About.com Guide to Kids Fashion has created a terrific article about just how best to choose and modify a costume to make it the right choice for your child. Bear in mind that, for a child with autism, the simplest option (a hat and a tail, for example) may make the most sense.More »
This article by Alix Strickland of the Autism Daily Newscast (which includes a quote from me!) goes deeply into the question of pretend play as a prerequisite for enjoying Halloween. It's a challenge for kids with autism to "be" something other than themselves, so it's up to parents to help choose the costume and actively teach the fine art of pretending.More »
Most kids with autism have some type of sensory issue. Perhaps your child is ultra-sensitive to scratchy materials, or enjoys tight clothes that give them a little "hug." Here are some ideas for creating a costume that will make your child feel physically comfortable and relaxed.More »
It's easy to find candies with no dairy in them, but it's a little trickier if your child is on a gluten-free diet. Is there wheat in a Nestle's Crunch Bar? The About.com Guide to Celiac Disease & Gluten Sensitivity offers a comprehensive guide to help you make smart candy choices.More »
For children on the spectrum, Halloween is tough. New sensations, new social expectations, scratchy costumes, and even pretend play can be extremely challenging. Fortunately, parents can tailor the Halloween experience for their child's individual preferences and challenges. Here are resources and ideas to do just that.
1. How to Enjoy Halloween with Your Autistic Child
Here are step by step ideas for modifying and previewing the Halloween experience so that it's fun, rather than challenging, for you and your child.More »
2. Halloween Tips for Special Families
This collection of Halloween tips from the About.com Guide to Special Needs Parenting includes all kinds of resources ranging from Trick or Treat cards for non-verbal kids to ideas for making costumes comfier.More »
3. How to Create a Social Story for Halloween
This article explains what a social story is, and how to create one. Your challenge will be to take photos and write short descriptions to prepare your child for the experiences, expectations, and outcomes he or she can expect on Halloween night.More »
4. Halloween Costume Safety and Tips
The About.com Guide to Kids Fashion has created a terrific article about just how best to choose and modify a costume to make it the right choice for your child. Bear in mind that, for a child with autism, the simplest option (a hat and a tail, for example) may make the most sense.More »
5. Children with ASD and Dressing Up for Halloween
This article by Alix Strickland of the Autism Daily Newscast (which includes a quote from me!) goes deeply into the question of pretend play as a prerequisite for enjoying Halloween. It's a challenge for kids with autism to "be" something other than themselves, so it's up to parents to help choose the costume and actively teach the fine art of pretending.More »
6. Make a Costume for a Child with Sensory Issues
Most kids with autism have some type of sensory issue. Perhaps your child is ultra-sensitive to scratchy materials, or enjoys tight clothes that give them a little "hug." Here are some ideas for creating a costume that will make your child feel physically comfortable and relaxed.More »
7. Gluten-Free Candy Choices
It's easy to find candies with no dairy in them, but it's a little trickier if your child is on a gluten-free diet. Is there wheat in a Nestle's Crunch Bar? The About.com Guide to Celiac Disease & Gluten Sensitivity offers a comprehensive guide to help you make smart candy choices.More »
Make Halloween Fun for Your Child - and Yourself
Almost every child with autism (and his parents) can have a positive Halloween experience if the expectations, costumes and foods are carefully selected and managed. If your child can knock on a single door, or just open his bag with a smile, you've succeeded in helping him learn to take part in a cherished American holiday.
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