As the vibrant colors of fall usher in the excitement of Halloween, families with children on the spectrum often face unique challenges during this festive season.
From sensory overload to navigating social interactions, creating an autism-friendly Halloween can make all the difference. Here are a few simple strategies parents can implement to help the little ghouls and goblins enjoy a night of fun and spooktacular memories:
Be flexible
Morgan Allen, speech language pathologist at Hopebridge Autism Centers, suggests that parents keep an open mind when opening the door to trick-or-treaters this Halloween.
“We don’t know who we’re going to open the door up to, but what we do know is that whoever we open the door up is deserving of candy,” Allen said. “Just being flexible and knowing that not every trick-or-treater may be in a costume and not every trick-or-treater may be able to verbalize and say, ‘Thank you.’”
Check on others
Keeping an eye out for others is an essential step. Making sure you’re being kind and thoughtful about the needs of others will encourage children to do the same.
“If you are walking with your children and maybe you see somebody having a hard time, we could give them some space. We can ask if they need help,” Allen said. “I think it’s more a lesson about being kind to others year-round and then how it relates to specifically Halloween.”
Talk to your kids
Having a chat with your children before going out about how others may look, sound or act differently is key to making sure children on the spectrum feel safe.
“Just having that conversation with your child and, again, not just during Halloween but year-round anytime you’re going out, about how we might see people that look different than us,” Allen said.
Create an environment of inclusivity
Have alternatives to candy like sensory pop-it toys, pop tubes, stickers and slinkies, Allen said.
Overall, Allen says that having an open mind is the most inclusive things parents and kids can do this Halloween to accommodate those on the spectrum.
“There’s no disclosure needed to be treated with respect, and no one has to do a trick to earn their treat,” Allen said. “No one has to say anything or be anything just to be a part of something that’s supposed to be about creating joy.”
To learn more about an autism-friendly Halloween, visit hopebridge.com/Halloween-guide.
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This reporting is made possible by a grant from the Indianapolis African-American Quality of Life Initiative, empowering our community with essential health insights. https://iaaqli.org/
Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
