Halloween is a time of costumes, candy, pumpkins, surprises, and a considerable amount of verbal and visual stimulation! Excitement is everywhere for so many children as they go from house to house, getting candy and yelling, “trick or treat”. 

For children who have a disability, this day can be more challenging than exciting. Seeing people wearing all different kinds of costumes, some can be scary and can cause one to feel anxious and uncomfortable. Masks can add to that discomfort and anxiety. For some children, eating candy is not possible due to dietary restrictions which can then add to other challenges experienced on this day. Going from house to house, and not being familiar with everyone, can also increase one’s anxiety level; it all might be too much!

How does one plan and prepare for this day for the child who has a disability?

Here are some suggested tips that might make it a more positive experience for you and your child.

1. Read stories to your children about Halloween to familiarize them with the traditions involved prior to the holiday.
2. Create a social story entitled, “On Halloween Night”, including the following steps and read it several times prior to Halloween:
   • Wear Costume
   • Go Trick or Treating
   • Knock on the Door
   • Say Trick or Treat
   • Say Thank You
   • Go to more Houses
   • Come Home and Eat One Treat
3. Decorate your home with Halloween décor, such as pumpkins, a few cobwebs, etc. (perhaps having your child help with the decorations to ensure it is what he/she would like and prefer)
4. If your neighbors are willing to pitch in (or other family members who live near you), role play with them. Let your child dress in costume and trick-or-treat at a few friendly houses in advance of Halloween. Practice saying “Trick or treat!” and “Thank you.”
5. Your child might prefer to remain at home (dressed up or not), answer the door and hand out the candy. Again, if that is the case, create a social story with how to answer the door and how to respond to the trick-or-treaters.
6. Create a visual schedule of what the day/early evening will look like on Halloween. Providing this schedule creates a sense of safety, security and control. Your child can repeatedly check the schedule and can even cross out with a crayon or pen, when each time period ends.
7. Your child might enjoy it if you get dressed up as well, modeling that it can be fun to dress up and reassure your child that at any time the costume can be taken off.
8. If a child wants to wear a costume, have her pick it up and try it on to make sure that he won’t experience any sensory challenges. Keeping the costume simple might be best when first introducing this idea of dressing up.
9. If your child has a favorite security toy/blanket that she wishes to take with her when she goes trick or treating, then allow it. In a new, unfamiliar activity, this familiar toy can bring comfort and security to your child.
10. If your child decides that after visiting a few houses, he is done, then that is okay, especially if it is the first time. Check in with your child to see if it is getting to be too much and possibly suggest that you will visit two more houses and then return to your home. Be sure to read the cues that your child is giving to you throughout the evening.
11. Once your child is back at home, you can suggest that she can now hand out the candy or have a treat (set that limit ahead of time of what she is able to eat that night).

Through all of this, remember to be flexible when possible. No matter how pre-planning goes, the day of Halloween, things might not play out as expected.  Lastly, remember to breathe—if taking deep, slow breaths don’t work, treat yourself to a few extra candy bars!

Consider sharing this with your neighbors or even post on your door for those who come to your door to see.