Hearty screams, spooky decor and scary surprises – that’s what Halloween’s all about. But to some children with autism, it’s the time when stress is high. The unexpected occurrences on Halloween can be rather intimidating to ASD children, who tend to prefer routines.
In spite of that, Halloween is also the season of fun. This is why we have compiled three Halloween activities that are tailored to the needs of autistic children.
1. Alternative Pumpkin Carving
To some autistic children, pumpkin carving is a potentially triggering activity. The pungent smell and the slimy texture of pumpkins can build up to a chaotic sensory overload.
However, that doesn’t mean children with ASD shouldn’t get the chance to make their own Halloween decoration. There isn’t a universal set of triggers for Individuals with autism. Therefore, parents who know their children’s triggers well can consider using alternative materials for this traditional Halloween activity.
For those who don’t find moisture to be triggering, bell peppers can be a great alternative to pumpkins. Red and orange bell peppers, in particular, are perfect for the conventional Halloween color palette.
Parents should also pay extra attention to knife safety when carving fruits with their ASD children. If you notice your child growing increasingly upset, it could mean an overstimulation episode is about to happen. You should then immediately remove any sharp tools, including but not limited to knives, from your child.
2. Halloween Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are well-loved by countless parents and their autistic children. Not only are they easy to make, they’re also great for encouraging sensory exploration. For the Halloween season, parents may want to put a little spook into these big tubs.
Start by adding a base that is sensory-safe for your child. Depending on what they prefer, that could be beads, soft sand, or any other material that would allow plenty of space for movement. The next step is to choose five to six Halloween-themed trinkets and then tuck them under the base.
And voilà, you’ve made your DIY Halloween sensory bin! The good thing about these bins is that they’re more than just an activity for Halloween. They can be used any day of the year to improve motor skills in autistic children.
You can also turn this activity into a guided adventure by giving your child a list of objects to find. Letting them know what’s in the bin prior to the activity itself is a good way to prevent accidental scares and meltdowns without taking out the fun.
3. Community Trick-or-treating
Trick-or-treating is a must-do Halloween activity for a lot of kids. Parents with autistic children, however, may find the activity to be a bit of a challenge. Parents may rehearse with their children the process of trick-or-treating, but there’s no guarantee that everything will go as planned. That being said, there are still various measures parents can take to make things go as smoothly as possible.
Parents with autistic children sometimes bring their kids to one another’s residence for trick-or-treating. The mutual understanding that these parents share makes all the difference when it comes to creating a sensory-safe environment. Try reaching out to those groups if you’ve got an autistic child who is eager to go trick-or-treating.
We understand that not everyone has got a large autism community in their local area. If that’s something you’re worried about, consider talking to your neighbors prior to Halloween night about your visit. Discussions like these can help both you and your neighbors plan ahead.
Autism Resources
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