The spooky season can be a lot of fun for children and adults alike. It’s a time with crisp, cool air throughout much of the United States, where Halloween is the most popular. Decorations, candy, music, and movies create a fun atmosphere that’s intended to be a joy for all.
Unfortunately, for children with autism spectrum disorder, it can be a struggle too. These things that many children love may create struggles for those on the spectrum. But there are sensory-friendly ways to celebrate Halloween, making it more fun for the whole family.
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Let’s Party: Celebrating without the Stress
What makes Halloween sensory challenging?
Many of the things that make Halloween fun can also cause sensory overload for children with autism. The Halloween-themed decorations can feature bright and flashing lights, loud noises, and distinctive odors that can be overwhelming.
Trick-or-treating is usually the activity kids most look forward to doing. Unfortunately, uncomfortable costumes, scary decorations, and issues with walking around the neighborhood can heighten sensory sensitivities.
This was an early problem for my younger son, Joey, who didn’t want to walk around the neighborhood and wait at doors while trick-or-treating. He is sensitive to sounds, so any decorations that made loud sounds were always a potential trigger.
Joey loves candy, pumpkins, ghosts, and many Halloween activities, but there is always a risk of sensory issues.
Creating a sensory-friendly Halloween environment
Once you know what may trigger sensory overload for your children with autism, you can work on creating a sensory-friendly Halloween environment for them.
There are plenty of sensory-friendly Halloween decorations that feature fewer loud or scary sounds, as well as fewer flashing or bright lights. These can help get the child into the spirit without becoming overwhelming.
For my son, we took him to stores that sell Halloween-themed decorations and allow customers to test them out. It allows us to see which ones he enjoys and which trigger sensory issues.
He isn’t afraid of any of the jump scare ones and has no issues with lights. As long as they aren’t too loud, he’s able to enjoy Halloween.
Sensory-friendly Halloween activities
While many Halloween activities may contribute to sensory overload, there are plenty of ways to make the holiday more sensory-friendly. Some communities host special sensory-friendly Halloween events that can encourage trick-or-treating without any of the negative triggers.
Many sensory-friendly trick-or-treat events are held in smaller areas ahead of Halloween, allowing an autistic child to practice before the actual day. Many won’t require costumes and will feature sensory-friendly Halloween decorations to make the event more enjoyable.
We have taken my son to these special trick-or-treat events near our home to help him get used to the idea. Celebrating Halloween is important to my family as it’s my wife’s and my older son’s favorite holiday.
However, we sometimes need a sensory-friendly alternative to ensure it’s fully inclusive for Joey.
Sensory-friendly Halloween costumes
Another issue that can arise during Halloween is costumes. They can be made from materials that some children on the autism spectrum don’t find enjoyable to wear. This can lead the children to avoid costumes because they aren’t comfortable.
However, there are some sensory-friendly costume ideas that can help the child participate. These include:
- Store costume – Some stores now sell sensory-friendly Halloween costumes to be more inclusive.
- Homemade costume – If a parent knows how to sew or crochet, they can make costumes for their autistic children at home that will keep them in the spirit without entering sensory overload.
- Repurposed everyday clothes costume – If your autistic child doesn’t like the material of a traditional Halloween costume, parents can find a way to use their everyday clothes for Halloween costume ideas.
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One year, my younger son wore his windbreaker and went as a “coach.” My older son has repurposed some of his clothes to look like the greaser ghost from the TV show “Ghosts.”
This is a great way to not spend a lot of money and ensure your child has a costume they like. Plus, the costumes will be re-used beyond Halloween activities.
An inclusive and joyful Halloween season
While Halloween is meant to be a fun time for everyone, it can be daunting for children with autism. Fog machines can create a spooky atmosphere while trick-or-treating, and some decorations can trigger sensory issues. Even animated decorations may create problems.
However, there are a few ideas parents can implement to reduce sensory overload.
Many children may prefer sensory-friendly activities, a smaller trick-or-treat area, or a special costume that will help them not feel overwhelmed. Autism can present challenges, but working together with your child can help ensure a stress-free, happy Halloween.
FAQs
Q: What are the autism-friendly Halloween decorations?
A: Some autism-friendly decorations for Halloween include a blue or teal pumpkin for trick-or-treating, unbreakable decorations, and sensory toys and bins.
Q: Do kids with autism like Halloween?
A: Halloween can be a fun experience for children with autism as long as accommodations are made for their unique needs. Sensory-friendly solutions include advanced preparations, costume ideas, a trick-or-treating routine, and setting boundaries.
Q: What can you give kids with autism for Halloween?
A: If your children with autism struggle with candy, an alternative treat can be given to them while trick-or-treating. These can include sensory items or crafts they can complete.
Resources
Beaney, J. (2020). Autism through a sensory lens: Sensory assessment and strategies. Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780429352089/autism-sensory-lens-joy-beaney
Morgan, Heidi (2019) “Connections Between Sensory Sensitivities in Autism; the Importance of Sensory Friendly Environments for Accessibility and Increased Quality of Life for the Neurodivergent Autistic Minority.,” PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal: Vol. 13: Iss. 1, Article 11\
https://doi.org/10.15760/mcnair.2019.13.1.11
What Does It Mean to Be Sensory Inclusive? A Case Study of KultureCity McNally, Riley. Drexel University ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2024. 31332717. https://www.proquest.com/openview/168ddba4be7a0239cd0533bc1689e561/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
