How to Help Your Autistic Child Enjoy Halloween

Halloween can be an exciting and overwhelming experience for many children. For autistic children, it can be a little too overwhelming. By adjusting your plans and staying attuned to your child's needs, you can find your own way to make Halloween enjoyable for your child.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Planning Ahead

  1. Knowing what will happen makes the holiday less stressful and more fun for autistic kids.
    • Even older kids may like reminders of the Halloween routine.
    • If you have photos from previous Halloweens, bring them out and show your child.
    • Talk about how Halloween is different from normally taking candy from strangers, because you are there so they know they are safe.
  2. Autistic kids may not implicitly understand how to stay safe, so it's best to be clear about the rules. Here are some example rules you may set:
    • Walking feet in your costume
    • Hold hands when crossing the street
    • Stay on the neighbor's porch (don't go inside)
    • Take only one piece of candy unless the neighbor says you can have more
    • Ask for a break if you need it
    • You can only eat a certain amount of pieces of candy while trick-or-treating (so they can eat if they're hungry, but don't overeat)
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  3. While older kids may know the drill, younger kids or those with intellectual disabilities may need extra help to learn how it works. You can practice using a house, using dolls, or using a door at home. Practice the following steps:
    • Seeing if the lights are on
    • Going up to the door
    • Ringing the bell
    • Saying "trick or treat!" (if they can)
    • Getting a piece of candy
    • Saying "thank you!" (or waving or smiling)
    • Walking back
  4. If your child is new to trick-or-treating or tends to struggle with it, then keep your route short with only familiar houses. Stay close to home and figure out what you think your child can handle.
    • Ask neighbors if they plan on putting up strobe lights, using scary decorations, or jumping out and startling children.
    • If your child is afraid of animals, only go to houses that you know have no pets or only have cats. (Dogs tend to bark and run to the door when doorbells are rung.)
  5. If your child has difficulty speaking or tends to act noticeably different, it may help to have a quick way to explain their behavior to confused neighbors.
    • Cards that explain your child is autistic and doing their best [1]
    • A bag that says "Nonspeaking trick-or-treater" (you can buy these online)
    • A "trick or treat!" sign so that your child doesn't have to speak
  6. Trick-or-treating isn't fun for everyone, so tell them what their choices are. This can help ensure that the night is fun and meltdown-free. For instance, you can say that their choices will be to:
    • Go trick-or-treating
    • Give out candy at the door
    • Stay home and watch a Halloween movie
  7. Halloween is about having fun, not about copying everyone else. It's okay if your child's idea of fun looks different from everyone else's. [2]
    • Follow their lead. What do they want to do? What interests them? Base the experience on what they like.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Dressing Up

  1. Talk about dressing up and show them examples of costumes. See how much interest they show in it.
    • You can use a magazine with pictures of kids in costumes to help them show you whether they're interested and what they want. [3]
  2. (Sometimes kids change their minds.) Shopping early gives you more options and more time.
    • Even if your child doesn't trick-or-treat or attend any parties this year, it can still be a fun costume for dressing up year-round.
  3. Make sure your child has time to try on the costume so that you can be sure it's comfortable and a good fit. If they seem uncomfortable, then you need something different.
    • Some costumes can be worn with regular clothes. Consider hats, butterfly wings, capes, and other elements that might be more comfortable than a polyester costume.
    • Costumes related to special interests can be exciting, but don't forget to check if your child picked out something comfortable.
    • Skip makeup, wigs, and other things that tend to be uncomfortable.
    • Remember to keep the weather in mind. For hotter temperatures, try to avoid wearing too many layers. For colder temperatures, bring a jacket your child can wear over their costume. If your child is going to wear a jacket, consider getting one that somewhat matches their costume (to avoid them feeling like their costume is ruined).
  4. Costumes may involve polyester, spandex, itchy seams, and other uncomfortable aspects that could ruin a night of fun. Here are some example easy costumes: [4] [5]
    • A comfortable t-shirt with the words "This is my costume"
    • Jeans, a button-up shirt, and perhaps a bandana or hat to be a cowboy
    • A favorite dress and a comfortable coat to be an ice princess
    • Regular clothes with a "dog catcher" name tag and a toy dog peeking out from their trick-or-treat bag
    • Pet and human (you or them being the animal, and a "leash" tied to your and their belt loops; this can be a safety accessory if they tend to bolt or wander)
  5. if cold weather is likely. Depending on the climate, your child may need to wear coats, gloves, and/or hats to stay comfortable. Talk about this from the start, so that they aren't surprised on Halloween night.
  6. Depending on where you live, it may get dark while you are trick-or-treating.
    • Flashlight
    • Glow necklaces/bracelets
    • Light-up sneakers
    • Reflective tape or clothing items
  7. Let them put it on and wear it around the house. [6] This can help them acclimate to it. It can also reveal if part of the costume is uncomfortable, so that you don't have to discover this when you're out at night.
  8. Uncomfortable or weather-inappropriate clothing may cut the night short, even if the child wants to keep going.
    • Any itchy, tight, or uncomfortable costume parts should be left behind.
    • Noise-canceling headphones can help reduce noise and stress. [7]
    • Choose comfortable walking shoes.
    • Gloves, coats, and hats may be necessary depending on the weather.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Enjoying Halloween Parties and Events

  1. Consider using pictures to help out. Notice what gets their attention. This can give you ideas about what types of activities they might enjoy.
  2. Some schools hold parties or parades. This will help you understand what your child can expect.
    • What does the school plan on doing?
    • Can parents come to help?
    • Do they have pictures of previous events that you could show to your child?
  3. Tell them everything that you've been told. The more predictable it feels to them, the more likely they can relax and enjoy it.
    • Try making a social story explaining how it will go. Be sure to include statements emphasizing choice, such as "I can decide whether I want to play the games."
  4. Some events, like parades or crowded events, aren't fun at all for kids who get easily overwhelmed. If your school is holding a "mandatory" event, advocate for your child. Make sure they have a decent option, even if it's just sitting in an office with a coloring book. [8]
  5. Even if your child isn't ready for parties or events, they're probably able to enjoy special treats. Try out a few new Halloween recipes or buy something from a store.
  6. Whether your child likes trick-or-treating or not, you can seek out fun activities that you think your child will enjoy. [9] Consider:
    • Pumpkin picking
    • Pumpkin carving and/or painting
    • Kid-friendly haunted houses
    • Eating dinner (at home or in a restaurant) wearing costumes
    • Enjoying a Halloween movie night with favorite snacks
    • Throwing a small, sensory-friendly Halloween party
  7. Sometimes, autistic kids have anxiety about trying new things. Gently encourage them to try it briefly and tell them that they can leave if they don't like it. (This may give them the courage to try.) Sometimes they'll discover that it's fun. Other times they won't, so make good on your promise and take them home. Try saying:
    • "It's okay to be nervous. I'm taking you because I think you might like it. Let's go in and look around. Then you'll tell me if you want to stay or go."
    • "Let's go in for five minutes. I will set a timer on my watch. I will check on you in five minutes and you can tell me whether we are staying or leaving."
    • "Thank you for trying it out and telling me how you feel. You said you don't like it. We can leave right now. Is that what you want?"
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Trick-or-Treating

  1. Smaller kids, kids with intellectual disabilities, and kids who struggle to communicate may not be ready to trick-or-treat. That's okay; there are other ways to have fun. Here are ways to know if your child is ready:
    • Your child should understand basic street safety rules.
    • Your child either knows not to wander/elope, or is comfortable being tethered to a person or service dog.
    • Your child should be able to handle minor changes in routine (such as someone not answering the door).
    • Your child should feel at least somewhat comfortable approaching neighbors with you nearby.
    • Your child should be able to communicate (verbally or with AAC) "yes," "no," "I need to use the bathroom," "I need help," and "I need a break."
    • Your child shows interest in trick-or-treating and wants to (or seems to want to) try it.
  2. Sometimes kids change their minds at the last minute. Make sure that it's an option just in case your child wants to go out.
  3. Different kids have different feelings about costumes; some will jump at the chance to put them on while others won't want to.
    • Don't force a costume on a reluctant child. Instead, ask why they don't want to wear it. It may be that the costume is uncomfortable, or they just may prefer to wear regular clothes.
  4. Even if you think you know what they want, it's good to ask them, just in case they've changed their minds. Avoid pressuring them in any direction.
  5. This can be less intimidating for your child. And if they can't handle it, you'll be close to home, so it'll be easy to return.
  6. It's important to be flexible with your child. Halloween is supposed to be fun, so if they need to take breaks or can't always muster the strength to say "trick or treat," don't make a big deal out of it.
  7. Halloween involves a lot of challenging skills for autistic kids: managing tons of transitions between homes, speaking, interacting with people (potentially strangers), using motor skills to grab candy and navigate new yards, et cetera. Offer praise as your child handles Halloween challenges.
    • "You and your sister did such a good job thanking the neighbor for the candy!"
    • "Thank you for telling me that you're tired. I'll take you home and we'll relax while Mommy and your brothers keep trick-or-treating."
    • "I know answering new questions can be hard for you sometimes. You did a great job with the neighbor back there."
    • "I can tell that dog barking loudly startled you. You did a great job handling it. Do you want to be done with trick-or-treating, or do you want to keep going?"
  8. Going from house to house for minutes or hours is a lot of transitions! If you see signs of stress in your child, suggest a break right away.
  9. Trick-or-treating may be overwhelming for some kids, especially autistic ones. Even if they only are able to handle a few houses, it's a success.
    • If you brought multiple adults or responsible teens, then one adult can accompany the tired kid(s) back while the rest keep trick-or-treating.
    • It may take a few years of trick-or-treating to "get the hang of it." That's okay. You can try again next year. [10]
  10. Try letting your child sort their candy, watch a Halloween movie, or do something else they enjoy. This can occupy them and maybe give you a little time to relax too.
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Expert Q&A

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      Tips

      • If your child is big on routines, make sure they understand early on that you only trick-or-treat at houses with lights on. This way, they won't get upset when you skip houses that have the lights off.
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      Warnings

      • Some autistic kids have very good memories, especially when it comes to things they like (e.g. a candy stash). If you sneak candy from them, they might notice it's missing!
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      • Don't give your child a blue bucket for trick-or-treating. While blue buckets were intended to show that a child has a hidden disability, such as autism, this can single out which children are more vulnerable, putting them in danger. This also involves disclosing a child's disability without their consent.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://autisticmama.com/autistic-halloween-printable-cards/
      2. ↑ https://blog.theautismsite.greatergood.com/sensory-halloween/
      3. ↑ https://blog.specialneedsessentials.com/2019/10/10/4-halloween-tips-for-special-needs-parents/
      4. ↑ https://www.nationalautismresources.com/blog/tips-for-preparing-your-child-for-halloween/
      5. ↑ https://autisticmama.com/sensory-friendly-halloween/
      6. ↑ https://www.easterseals.com/explore-resources/living-with-autism/choose-the-best-sensory-friendly-costume-yet.html
      7. ↑ https://www.themomkind.com/autism-and-halloween/
      8. ↑ https://blog.specialneedsessentials.com/2019/10/10/4-halloween-tips-for-special-needs-parents/
      9. ↑ https://www.easterseals.com/explore-resources/living-with-autism/choose-the-best-sensory-friendly-costume-yet.html
      1. ↑ https://themighty.com/2018/10/sons-autism-halloween-trick-or-treat/

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