Flashing lights, unfamiliar costumes and unexpected sounds can make Halloween overwhelming for children with sensory sensitivities. Preparation and flexibility can help families create a comfortable, enjoyable celebration.
Michele Kong, M.D., MBA, and Kimberlly Stringer, M.D., MPH, experts in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Department of Pediatrics, share ways parents and communities can make Halloween more inclusive.
Michele Kong, M.D, MBA“The goal isn’t necessarily to avoid Halloween, but to identify those potential barriers and provide accommodations that allow each child to participate comfortably,” said Kong, professor in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care and co-founder of KultureCity.
Choose a comfortable costume
Costume materials, masks and makeup can create discomfort for children with sensory sensitivities. Parents should consider texture, weight, temperature and fit, paying attention to tags, seams and anything touching the face or head.
“Parents should involve their child in choosing a costume. Children are often more motivated to wear a costume if they help pick it out themselves,” said Stringer, associate professor in the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics. “If possible, have the child touch the costume and try it on before purchasing it, especially if it contains materials the child does not typically wear, such as feathers, faux fur, snaps, or buttons.”
Trying on a costume several times before Halloween can build familiarity. Families can also keep costumes simple by pairing a favorite T-shirt, pajamas or other comfortable clothing with a Halloween accessory.
Kimberlly Stringer, M.D., MPHPrepare for the night ahead
Knowing what to expect can help children feel more comfortable with Halloween activities. Both physicians recommend using a visual schedule or social story to explain the experience, from putting on a costume to visiting a neighbor’s house, and returning home.
Parents can take several steps to prepare:
- Practice ahead of time. Walk the trick-or-treating route during daylight or do a trial run at a familiar house.
- Discuss what children may encounter. Talk about costumes, decorations, doorbells, barking dogs, crowds and unexpected sounds.
- Pack familiar sensory tools. Bring noise-reducing headphones, sunglasses, fidgets, communication devices or a favorite comfort item based on the child’s needs.
- Identify a quiet space. Plan where the child can take a break, such as the family car or home.
- Create an exit plan. Let the child know they can stop, take a break or go home whenever they have had enough.
“Understand your child’s sensory needs, make accommodations when needed, and always have a backup plan if a Halloween activity becomes too overwhelming,” Stringer noted.
Recognize when a child needs a break
Children communicate discomfort in different ways. Parents should watch for changes from their child’s typical behavior, including covering their ears or eyes, becoming unusually quiet, increased movement, crying or trying to leave.
“One key point is not to automatically interpret these responses as ‘difficult behavior,’” Kong explained. “Sometimes what we are seeing is a person communicating that the sensory demands of the environment have become too much.”
Parents can respond by offering a break, moving to a quieter space or ending the activity.
Explore other ways to celebrate
Trick-or-treating is only one way to enjoy Halloween. Families can decorate pumpkins, bake cookies, organize an indoor candy hunt or watch a child-friendly Halloween movie together. Visiting one or two familiar neighbors or inviting a small group of friends over can also create a meaningful celebration.
For families attending a community event, Stringer suggests arriving early before crowds grow.
Siblings may have different wishes for the evening. Families can plan activities everyone enjoys together while allowing some children to continue celebrating after another needs to leave.
“If the child with sensory needs requires more breaks or needs to go home early, one parent can stay with that child while the other parent continues trick-or-treating with siblings,” Stringer said.
For single parents, bringing a friend, grandparent or another trusted adult can provide support and help accommodate each child’s needs.
Make the neighborhood more inclusive
Neighbors can help by reducing flashing lights and sudden sounds, avoiding intentionally startling children and providing a quieter approach to their homes. Advance notice about intense decorations or haunted displays can help families decide whether to visit.
Offering non-food treats, such as stickers, pencils or coloring books, provides options for children with highly selective diets or food allergies. Starting activities around dusk may also help children who are uncomfortable in the dark.
Some children may use a communication device, have difficulty with social communication or feel overwhelmed. Neighbors should offer treats without requiring children to speak, make eye contact or say “thank you.” Parents can use Halloween as a way to teach the child how to communicate in social situations such as saying “Trick or Treat” or saying “Thank You” especially for the child who does have the ability to communicate via verbally, sign language, or with their communication device.
Whether a child visits two houses, wears headphones or celebrates entirely at home, their comfort and enjoyment should guide the experience.
“Follow the child, not the tradition,” Kong said. “Halloween doesn’t have to look a certain way.”
For additional ideas and visual support, families can visit Carol Gray’s Halloween Social Stories and Autism Speaks’ Halloween resources.