Sensory Friends
Let's stay connected:
  • Home
    • About Sensory Friends
    • Contact me!
    • Join My Email List
    • Media Page
    • Book Christine Goulbourne
  • Blog
    • Disability Blogs
  • Directory
  • Books & Resources
    • National Resources
    • Florida State Resources
    • Support Groups
    • Top Autism Sites
    • God can You Hear My Non-Speaking Voice?
    • The Rabbit in the Window
    • Podcast Guest Appearances
  • Great Giveaways!

6 Tips on How to Have a Sensory Friendly Halloween!

10/28/2016

8 Comments

 
Have a Sensory Friendly Halloween
Halloween is a fun holiday favorite for many kids, but for kids with sensory issues and special needs, it could be a night filled with discomfort, anxiety and fear. I learned over the years with Richie that it was okay to get him to try new things on Halloween, but I would never push him to go beyond his comfort level. My son has autism and with it comes many sensory related issues.  This includes changes in routines, fear of sounds, uncomfortable clothing and more. I found these tips to work well with us, hopefully they’ll work for you too!
  • Use a Halloween Social Story – for first timers or advanced trick-or-treaters, using a social story to help explain what to expect on Halloween may be very helpful. Some children with learning disabilities (like my son who has autism) are concrete thinkers and need information on what steps come next. I found this resource to be useful: Halloween Social Story.
  • Help your child pick a costume – At first, I printed a set of pictures of the costumes for Richie’s favorite characters that year. I placed them in front of him and asked him to choose which one he’d like to be. Most years he was interested in picking a costume, others he wasn’t as interested. Today, we’re at the point where he comes to the store with me and chooses what he wants to be. 
  • Create a picture schedule for the event day – Halloween night or week will be very different from your usual nightly routines. There may be a character parade at school, you might attend a community event or a Halloween party in addition to Trick or Treating.  Maybe your family prefers to stay at home and enjoy the show of children and adults masquerading in their creative costumes as they come to your door step. Whatever happens during Halloween season, it will be different. Picture schedules are a helpful way to avoid meltdowns, anxiety or other possible issues. 
Picture
I took Richie at six years old as the Green Lantern (with no mask) to Great Adventure. The picture schedule worked out great for that day! He didn't get a whole lot of candy, but he did have fun.
  • Print Halloween cards - For some kids who might not be able to speak just yet, using pre-printed cards on Halloween would be great for helping them to get in on the fun, but without the anxiety of not being able to speak. It also helps to raise awareness with neighbors who may or may not know your child has a disability. I made a few printable different cards with different sizes- Click here for different printable sizes! 
Picture
  • Use sound banks – My son is very sensitive to certain noises or sounds. A shrieking scream, a baby crying, or weird sounds may frighten him or cause an outburst.  A few weeks before Halloween, consider using sound-banks to play the sounds you know might frighten or upset your child. Listening to these sounds may help with desensitizing him or her, and instead make the sounds familiar to your child.  Try to explain to your child that many people are in character for Halloween and like to act out the part they’re playing. Click here for sound bank files.
  • Take small steps – If it’s your first time going trick or treating, stick to your neighborhood first. Familiarity always offers our kids a sense of comfort. If after a few houses or the first one, your child wants to go home, please don’t feel discouraged. All things take practice and time. Participating in the community is no exception to this. 
I like to introduce things (old and new) to Richie repeatedly. Even if the experience wasn’t a positive one the first time around. The first time I took Richie out for candy, we were home within ten minutes. The year after that, we were home in about 20 minutes. Today, he can go for an hour or two. He loves getting the candy! 
Remember that having fun means something different to everyone.  Maybe this year your child will prefer to enjoy watching others all dressed up from a distance. Maybe he or she just wants to hand out candy to other trick or treaters. Halloween, no matter how you choose to celebrate can be a wonderful experience for your entire family. I wish you and yours a safe and Happy Halloween friends!
​
© 2016 Sensory Friends

Sincerely, Christine SensoryFriends

8 Comments
Allison link
10/28/2016 12:01:30 pm

I love this! It's such an important reminder this Halloween season.

Reply
Christine Goulbourne link
10/28/2016 12:24:44 pm

Thank you for your kind words, Allison. Thank you for visiting us!

Reply
Kimberly Lewis link
10/28/2016 01:49:22 pm

Really great ideas! Thank you for sharing!

Reply
Christine Goulbourne link
10/28/2016 02:59:15 pm

Thank you Kimberly. I hope other parents find it helpful too!

Reply
Kyleigh Glass link
10/28/2016 02:57:53 pm

These are great tips to practice and remember! I love the printable cards! I would never have thought about de-sensitizing with sound banks. Great great post.

Reply
Christine Goulbourne link
10/28/2016 03:01:39 pm

Thank you for visiting and commenting. The sound-banks are such a helpful resource for kids and adults with audio sensory issues. I hope to post a list of links for great sound-banks soon!

Reply
Jenn @ Drink Coffee & Prosper link
10/28/2016 10:58:44 pm

I really needed this post. I've been on the fence on if I should take my little guy (he's 4 with autism) trick or treating. It would be his first year. I'm nervous because I don't want him to be anxious and scared. There's gonna be a lot of kids in the neighborhood. I think I might be psyching myself out. Nice tips. Great post.

Reply
Christine Goulbourne link
10/30/2016 08:39:04 am

Hi Jenn and thanks for stopping by! I think you should try taking your son out for candy this year. Remember to review every step of the trick-or-treating process with him - from getting dressed up to knocking on doors to checking the candy! If he's not up for it this year, that's okay. There's always next year and the year after that. I hope you and your family have a fun and safe Halloween.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author: Christine Goulbourne
    [email protected] 

    Archives

    April 2025
    February 2025
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2020
    September 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    June 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All
    Autism
    Inclusion
    Parent Involvement
    Positive Behavior Support
    Special Education

    RSS Feed

    Please note that Sensory Friends is a participant in the Google Adsense and Etsy Programs. These are affiliate/advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees (at no additional cost to you) by advertising and linking to their sites. 

An Important Note From Sensory Friends:

All information posted on the website is for informational purposes only.   Please confirm and review information carefully with your professional health care provider before considering a new regime or practice.  The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice offered by physicians.  Sensory Friends only wishes to provide information, resources, options and networking opportunities to its members and site visitors. 
Please note that Sensory Friends is a participant in several affiliate programs (Google Adsense, Awin Affiliates, and Etsy) these affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products or services. We may receive a commission if you purchase any of the linked products at no additional cost to you.  

© 2025 Sensory Friends

Subscribe

Join our mailing list today!
Join Now