How are you dealing with Halloween?

I'm on my 2nd. costume with ds and I hope he will like it, I just ordered it today. I hope he'll be in the mood and participate in the school parade. Im not sure about trick or treating. He tends to like to run off and doesn't get the trick or treating bit but I'm going to give it a try. Pumping picking wasn't a disaster but DH and I sure did a lot of running after him. I was happy that he looked at them and said pumpkins How are you dealing with Halloween?

Message edited 10/18/2012 6:02:12 PM.

Re: How are you dealing with Halloween?

DS is 5 and the age 2 seems like ages and ages ago. he didnt get it at 2, he wore a costume, but just didnt get it. we just went trick or treating at neighbors houses, those that we knew and to family.

he got it at 3 and enjoyed it

Re: How are you dealing with Halloween?

This is from Autism Society.org

Tips to Make Halloween Enjoyable for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
The very things that can be so exciting to neurotypical kids—wearing the costume of a favorite character, being outside with other kids who also have on costumes, knocking on doors to ask for treats, and getting treats from every house you visit—can be anxiety producing for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Wearing a costume is unfamiliar, as is going from house to house to ask for treats. New routines and behaviors can be enjoyable for kids on the spectrum when they are approached with planning, and the necessary supports are identified and provided. Following are some things you can do ahead of time to help your child enjoy this child-focused occasion:

1. Begin early (even a month before) to prepare your child for Halloween activities. Read a story about Halloween and the activities that surround it, like carving pumpkins, wearing costumes, and trick-or-treating. Teach your child the skills involved in participating—knocking on the door, holding out the bag, saying “trick or treat” or using assistive technology (a picture or device) to communicate the message, and then saying “thank you.”

2. Help your child choose a costume that will reflect his interests. Let him practice wearing the costume around the house while practicing the skills. If wearing a costume is irritating, ask him if he would rather wear face paint, a scarf, or a hat on Halloween. No costume is also OK.

3. Write a social narrative describing what your child will do on Halloween. Include in this story information about wearing the costume (if she will) or face paint, and carrying the trick-or-treat bag. Identify which houses your child will visit, what your child will say at each house, and what she will do with the treats she receives.

4. Create a visual schedule with the Halloween activities for the evening marked on it.

5. Let your child practice trick-or-treating with familiar individuals and houses. If he has a restricted diet, give these individuals special treats for him.

6. Keep the trick-or-treating session short and comfortable. If two houses are her limit, that is fine.

7. Teach your child to give out candy for trick-or-treaters. Use role play to let him practice the skill before Halloween. Write a social narrative about this aspect of Halloween so he will know what to expect and what to do when the doorbell rings that evening. This way, even if his trick-or-treating session is short, he will be involved in the celebration.

8. Remember, practice helps make any activity feel like a routine!

From The Sphere (Fall 2007-Volume I/Issue 2), newsletter of the Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence. Reprinted with permission.

Re: How are you dealing with Halloween?

Also from AutismSociety.org

Tips from other parents

Your Tips for a Safe, Comfortable and Enjoyable Halloween
Early this month, we asked for your Halloween tips. We compiled your great advice and separated it into four categories: trick-or-treating, collecting and handing out candy, costumes and themed events. Enjoy!

Trick-or-Treating:

Make a deal with neighbors to have their kids come for a 'dress rehearsal' day before. Your child can first practice answering the door and handing out candy to kids. Then switch and practice knocking and saying “trick or treat!”

The first two years of Halloween we just let our son dress up and walk up and down the street watching the other kids and looking at the decorations. Come our third Halloween, he went to knock on doors by himself and yelled “trick or treat” like a pro.

Be flexible, no expectations! Your child may be content stopping at five or six houses. Have quiet back up activities ready.

Be aware of which areas have displays with lots of gore and special effects so you can avoid them.

Discuss with the child safety tips for crossing the street, such as remembering to look both ways before crossing. The child may be over-stimulated from the change in schedule, so priming may be necessary.

Flashlights are a must. My son carried one to help him see in the dark. It offered comfort and gave him a means of some control.

What helped my son most was watching children trick or treating on Youtube (Make sure you preview the video before your child sees it).

We always put plenty of glow sticks on my son in case we get separated at some of the more popular houses. You can purchase them at Wal-Mart in different shapes and colors. They make him feel more secure in the dark, too!

If your child is nonverbal, or not very verbal, make sure he or she wears some kind of identifying bracelet – it can even be part of the costume if done cleverly.

We practice trick-or-treating at our own house. Then he knows what to expect on Halloween night.

Take a route familiar to your child. Avoid homes decorated with flashing lights and loud sounds that may trigger sensory reactions. Review the day's events when winding down. Discuss any fears about something seen or heard. Reassure him of your love and protection.

It’s a good idea to get a buddy that will make sure your child knows where he or she is going.


Collecting and Handing Out Candy

Plan now for how you will handle candy consumption. A gluten or dairy intolerance may not be an issue with Halloween treats, but food dyes and sugar may wreak havoc with any child. Decide the candy-eating rules in advance and write them down.

After Halloween, watch the doors extra closely. My son escaped for the first time on November 1 along with his plastic pumpkin bucket from the night before. A neighbor alerted us that he was going from house to house on his own.

When no longer appropriate to trick or treat, my son was given the honor of giving out treats to kids who came to our door. To "sweeten" the deal, each time someone came to our house he could add a piece of candy to a bowl reserved for him.

Trick or treating is too hard for my son, so I have him answer the doorbell instead when trick or treaters come. I have taught him to open the door, take candy out of the bowl and put one in each bag, say goodbye and close the door.


Costumes

In lieu of a costume, try a Halloween T-shirt. There are screen-printed ones that look like Dracula's tuxedo, complete with a jeweled medallion. There are also big orange T-shirts with a jack-o-lantern faces.

Pick a costume that may require a little face paint and is not too big or uncomfortable. Try to use a child’s own clothing. Definitely no masks or hats that might be distracting, irritating or uncomfortable to their senses.

Re: How are you dealing with Halloween?

Great tips thank you!