- Learn ways to make the holiday safer and more enjoyable for children with autism, anxiety, allergies and other challenges.
- Find out where to get adaptive costumes for kids who use wheelchairs or wear medical appliances.
- Get ideas for non-candy treats to share with all of your neighborhood's trick-or-treaters.
Being safe and visible in the dark is important for every child at Halloween. But the holiday can highlight the differences children with special needs face, from strangers and crowds to costumes and food allergies.
The occupational therapy team at Carilion Children's shared tips for parents and friends who want to make Halloween as much fun as possible for kids with special needs.
Address Their Fears
- Talk to your child about what what to expect
- Read stories in which the characters go trick-or-treating
- Role-play trick-or-treating at home
- Visit family members or friends to practice ahead of time
- Attend a local trunk-or-treat event
Adjust Their Fabrics
- Incorporate onesies, pajama sets or leggings into homemade costumes
- Use sweatshirts and athletic pants with a character-themed jacket
When purchasing, consider adaptive costumes. They are designed to accommodate children's tactile sensitivities, incorporate wheelchairs into the design and include hidden panels for abdominal access to manage tubes.
Add Weight And Warmth
If your child benefits from using a weighted blanket, think creatively to incorporate balanced weight into their costume.
- Add a weighted vest to a cowboy/cowgirl or Paw Patrol costume
- Create a zoologist costume using a long sock filled with dried beans and draped around your child's shoulders like a snake
- Add extra weight to a backpack if dressing up as Dora the Explorer
- Create a jetpack from a couple of plastic two-liter bottles filled with rice—or a scuba tank using just one
Be sure to try weighted costumes out ahead of time to find out if the child can tolerate it when trick-or-treating.
Choose Alternative Treats
One in 13 children has food allergies, so you can make Halloween easier for them by giving away non-candy treats that all kids enjoy.
If you choose this route, be sure to place a teal pumpkin on your porch to signify your home includes safe items for children with food allergies or sensitivities. Some ideas:
- Glow sticks or glow bracelets
- Slinkies
- Bubbles
- Glow-in-the-dark slime
- Stickers, stamps and temporary tattoos
- Mini Play-doh containers
- Silly straws
- Wind-up toys
Learn more in the video from foodallergy.org below.
And remember: A child’s disability or difficulty is not always visible. Every child is different, so these general tips may need to be adapted.
If you have concerns related to your child’s development, consult with your pediatrician to determine if an occupational therapy evaluation would be beneficial.
