Halloween can be a lot of fun and it can also be stressful. Kids can enjoy dressing up, getting candy, and staying up late. These things can also cause anxiety for our kids- especially kids with Autism. Here are some tips to prep Autistic kids for Halloween night.
Discuss the plan for trick or treating early and often. Consider a visual like a list, contract, or picture board.
The plan can include:
How many houses or how long trick or treating will last
When candy can be eaten (are they allowed to eat anything while walking or wait until they get home?)
How much candy can they eat on Halloween night?
How much candy can they eat after? (Are you doing one candy a day? Switch Witch?)
Consider practicing wearing the costume
Sometimes we get excited about a costume but don't realize that a seam will be itchy or that it is too tight. Be sure to try it on early enough that it can be modified or switched out
Set expectations about what will happen if they don't like it the day of Halloween
Consider a back up costume
Consider practicing saying “trick or treat”, taking 1 candy, and saying “thank you”
Consider practicing using words, picture communication, or other communication strategy to say “trick or treat”
Practice taking 1-2 pieces of candy
If you think your child won't be able to take just one candy, consider taking the candy yourself from the bowls when you go up together and putting it in the bag in a fun happy way
Consider practicing using a picture communication, or other communication strategy to say “thank you”
Consider practicing being around people in costumes
This can be watching videos of people trick or treating
This can be having parents dress up and gently introducing it
THIS SHOULD NOT BE SCARY. If it is distressing stop
Have fun and be flexible
On Halloween Night things might not go as planned. Kids might grab handfuls of candy or cry when they have to go home. This is something all kids do! But by doing some of these things, it can make Halloween more fun for everyone!
*A note about blue pumpkins: some families choose to do this. We don't suggest this to families. Most people don't know what they mean and also while Autistic kids should be encouraged to be proud of their Autism, it's not reasonable for them to be required to advertise it to everyone in order to get candy.
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