Autism Parents: Tips for Halloween

Halloween is a holiday that offers many opportunities for fun and excitement, especially for children. For children with autism however, it may present some potential pitfalls that could be avoided with the proper preparation.

It’s a good idea to prepare a child with autism for Halloween before it arrives. Potential crowds, as well as interpersonal interaction can be overwhelming if your child is not expecting them.

• Help your child anticipate what Halloween might be like by showing them pictures and/or drawings of what they can expect. Help them prepare mentally, so they are not surprised or scared by things they might see.

• Make sure you child’s costume is one they are comfortable in – consider trying it multiple times before the big day. Having an uncomfortable costume may cause high stress for your child.

• If your child does not like their costume, do not force them to wear it. Instead, try to find out why they do not like it. It may give you a more appropriate costume idea. You could also have your child wear the costume in short intervals, so that they become more comfortable in it leading up to the holiday.

• If costumes you try are a problem, consider one that fits on over your child’s clothing – i.e. – a set of wings, or a cape.

• Ask a neighbor, then practice going to their door, knocking or ringing the doorbell, and receiving candy.

For the day of Halloween, there are several more things you can do to make sure your child is comfortable, and their experience is as positive as possible.

• Always keep your child’s limits in mind. Do not try to force them to do more than they can handle. If you can tell your child is uncomfortable after going to a few houses, take a break, or consider it as a positive step towards next year’s trick-or-treating experience.

• Instead of going house-to-house, consider a community or school event you can attend, where your child will know some of the people attending.

• Include a friend or family that your child likes in your plans.

• If you are at home, give your child the option of handing out candy to people who come to the door.

Halloween can be a fun and exciting experience for your child. We hope these tips help you to have a safe and fun holiday!