As a parent of a child with autism who has been helped many times by people in our community, friends, educators and specialists, I am committed to helping guide other families. PBS KIDS and PBS NC were always a constant during early, uncertain years when my daughter was very young. No matter how our morning was unfolding, we knew that Sesame Street would be there to help give us that boost or reset both of us needed.
With all the excitement fall brings, some children in our communities face different (or not so different!) challenges during the holiday season. As the Rootle Ambassador representing Wilson County, I also serve my community as the Wilson County Schools’ Exceptional Children’s Parent Liaison and Co-Leader of the Wilson County chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina. Special-needs children and their families are my passion.
As cooler mornings and beautiful fall leaves arrive, so does our excitement for all things pumpkin in North Carolina. There is no better time to be a North Carolinian than on a bright, crisp October day. For our family and many others, the highlights of October are the many fall community events and trick-or-treating.
My hope for you and your family is to make some fun and enjoyable memories this month. Preparation goes a long way in helping neurodiverse children experience the fun of local fall community events and trick-or-treating. Perhaps your children are neurotypical. You might still find some of the following tips helpful. Better yet, share this newsletter with your community and help spread awareness, acceptance and inclusion for all children.
Remember these three easy steps when teaching your child a new skill: teach, show and do. Start early and teach your child about the traditions and rules of trick-or-treating. Next, show your children videos or pictures online of other children trick-or-treating. Children learn from other children. Last, take a practice run in your home. Have one adult behind a closed door as your child practices knocking and saying “trick-or-treat” with their bag.
If your child is nonverbal, don’t worry. Remind your child to use the typical greeting they are accustomed to using. Grown-ups can always chime in with “trick-or-treat” while your little one gives a simple wave. The key is practice. You can even take your child to the home of a close friend or family member for a test run. Give your child plenty of time to practice each of the steps in order so Halloween night will not be so overwhelming.
Familiarity is the key to success when it comes to children with sensory issues. Organize a small group of friends and adults to trick-or-treat with. Children tend to do better in small groups of friends or relatives they know well. More adult supervision also increases safety for your outing. Remember to stay in communication with the other adults about who is supervising the kids at different times. Also, bring other adults to help you. Parents need reinforcements too.
Choose a familiar neighborhood and start during daylight. It might be too overwhelming to trick-or-treat in the dark. Starting early allows you time to enjoy the experience and leave early if needed. Lastly, know your child’s limits, and don’t push past those limits. Maybe your kids only last fifteen minutes before they become exhausted from the experience. That’s okay! The important thing is that they are enjoying the same experiences as other children in your community.
Let your child select their own costume, and make sure it’s something they will be comfortable wearing. If wearing a costume is too uncomfortable, find an accessory they love (a cape, crown or hat) and pair it with a Halloween T-shirt or their favorite outfit. Let them practice wearing their costume several times at home. Bring a change of clothes in case they become too hot or cold. Pack a small bag of snacks and a water bottle. This might be the first year in a very long time that you have gone trick-or-treating, so remember to pack your patience and give your child loads of praise each step of the way.
For more resources for your family this upcoming season, check out the links below. Have a wonderful fall season!
Making Halloween Fun for Individuals with Autism
Visual Story Cards for Halloween
Make Halloween Fun, Not Frightening
Krista Keith works at Wilson County Schools as the Exceptional Children’s Parent Liaison and Co-Leader of the Wilson County chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina. She and her husband, Drennan, have two beautiful daughters, Annabelle (12 years old) and Juliette (8 years old). As a parent of a child with autism, she is committed to helping guide other families.