What you should know for an ASD friendly Halloween.
Happy Halloween! With Halloween nearing, your probably getting prepared to celebrate with your little one. Since children on the spectrum can become overwhelmed with all the scary houses, flashing lights, and spooky noises, it’s natural to be a little spooked yourself about how to plan a fun Halloween for your child with ASD. Well fear not, we are here to help you and your little one have the best Halloween ever. Here are 5 tips for an ASD friendly halloween for you and your little one!
- Scope out the houses ahead It’s always better to be over prepared than underprepared. Before you start your trick or treating route, be sure to check out the houses and pathways your little one will be going to. Try to avoid houses with too much sensory stimulation, as this can cause your child to have an unpleasant time. And if your child would like to take part in all the scary night-time events, bring a pair of headphones to help them cope with overstimulation. The headphones can even be disguised as a part of their costume, like a pair of bunny ears or a pilot’s headset. You can get creative with this!
- Avoid Malls During Halloween Time Malls in general are difficult places for children with sensory issues, due to the tons of people (even more during the holidays) and loud noises. Malls that participate in Halloween only worsen these issues. It’s best to just avoid these places during Halloween time.
- Have a comfortable costume for your child It’s fun to dress up for Halloween and it gives your child the opportunity to express themselves how they want. But focusing too much on the costume can obscure the point of the Holiday, to have fun! It can be hard to have fun if your child’s costume is itchy or irritable so make sure to give them a costume that they not only will be thrilled to wear but will be comfortable in.
- Bring treats that they will like Not all children like chocolate or sweets, and that’s ok. Dietary restrictions shouldn’t spook you away. Before beginning your trick or treating, you can stop at a store and pick up small toys or candy that you know your child will enjoy and allow them to exchange the things they don’t like for the ones they do.
- Create your own Halloween tradition Even with careful planning and preparation, it’s possible that trick or treating is just not an option for your child, and that’s ok! You can start a new tradition, carving pumpkins, create Halloween arts and crafts, or plan fun activities your child will enjoy at home.
It’s important to note that Halloween is more than trick or treating and eating candy. Celebrate in a way that you and your child will enjoy, however that may be. So may your Halloween be a memorable time filled with laughter, pictures and loads of fun! Happy Halloween!