Halloween is such a fun time of year, but it can also be a bit tricky! Here are some tips to, hopefully, help plan for fun for all!
???? Let your child’s interests and personality shine through their costume BUT keep in mind sensitivities to certain textures and materials. Have a dress-up day and a trial run of the costume to be able to make adjustments before the big night.
???? If you are planning to trick-or-treat through the neighborhood, have a walk through to set a route and let your child know what to expect; If this may be too much, arrange with your friends, family or closest neighbors to just visit their houses at times that would have less halloween walking traffic. It may also help to read books about Halloween and trick-or-treating or create a social story specific to your child
???? Start trick or treating early to keep the rest of your routine as close to the same as possible
???? Know the treats your child can have ( based on personal allergies, sensitivities or texture preferences) so you can either help guide their choices, have a fun exchange at home!
???? Plan for complicatIons.
???? Offer alternatives to traditional trick-or- treating. (i.e. Make fun, Halloween-themed food throughout the month; Attend drive-up or drive-through Halloween events; Buy a pinata, fill it with allergy-friendly candy/toys, and allow your kids to break it open on Halloween; create a candy/toy scavenger hunt in your house or yard; Have a not-so-scary family movie night complete with treats)
???? Finally for our non-verbal, or limited verbal friends, trick or treating can be a good time to practice language acquisition, but don’t force it, consider creating a card that your child can hand out instead. Simplyspecialed.com and TACA offered free printables adapted to these printable google slides (link will force a copy): Halloween Cards
The most important part of Halloween is your child’s experience; so don’t worry about how to make your child fit into traditional Halloween traditions. Instead, create a tradition that fits your child! Happy Haunting!