HALLOWEEN is almost here!
This month’s blog entry is all about Halloween and how to help your sweet little pumpkin participate and enjoy the festivities!
Trick or Treating can be a lot of fun, but it can also be difficult for children who are nonverbal and/or have Autism. There are several online freebies from Positively Autism that could be really helpful! There is a social story about trick-or-treating that you can print out and read many times in the days leading up to Halloween, so that your child will know what to expect. There are also some sweet little cards that your trick-or-treater can hand to people to let them know that they are working hard and want to say “trick-or-treat.” (*Thanks to our Autism EI, Crystal, for finding this great resource!)
http://positivelyautism.weebly.com/freebies-community—halloween.html
Here are a few other tips to help make Halloween fun and safe for everyone!
Start early and try to keep as much of the rest of your nightly routine the same as every night.
Plan ahead – if it’s more comfortable, trick-or-treat at the homes of friends and neighbors who know your child. They will love seeing your child in costume and your child will feel more comfortable. Also, be up front about if your child has any dietary restrictions – so they can have appropriate treats for your child.
Prepare – try on the costume a few times before the big night. Also, use the social story from Positively Autism, or talk with your child about what they will do and see on Halloween. Be sure to discuss the fun points, and things that could potentially be scary.
Play – make costume items and pumpkin baskets available early and play pretend trick-or-treat to allow your child to practice in a safe space. Make it a game and involve friends when you can!
Relax and have fun! Don’t stress about getting to a certain number of houses or having things go absolutely perfectly. Have a good time!
Image courtesy of halloweenclipart.com