Make Halloween Safe!
Halloween is one of the most popular children's holidays, and can be one of the most fun and exciting days for all children. However, not all children are able to experience or celebrate this day the same, not just because of varying preferences, rules, and guidelines but because of varying abilities. We want to put an end to this! Halloween should be a safe and accessible holiday for children of all ages and abilities, so we’ve put together a great list for everyone celebrating the holiday this year! Posts like this are especially important to share with your community as everyone has a role to play in making this day safe and fun for everyone!
To Costume or Not to Costume?
Costumes and candy may seem like some of the defining factors of the holiday but they can be especially tricky when considering that many children with disabilities are incredibly sensitive to the fit and feel of their clothes, as well as lights, noises, smells, and anything out of their routine. When considering costumes it’s always best to plan in advance and consider some of these tips!
Choose an accessible costume! Avoid sensory overstimulation by checking out some accessible costume lines from Target, the Magic Wheelchair, and opt for simple costumes like character hoodies, pajamas, and themed clothing. Many of the accessible range costumes feature access for feeding tubes and other equipment, and tag-free, comfortable materials.
Let your child pick what they want to wear. Yes, something as simple as letting them tell you what they want to wear will not only make your life easier without having to find something for them, but make them more comfortable in their costume. But not just any costume will do!
Moorehead says to avoid anything on a costume that could limit a child’s mobility, obstruct their vision or cause anxiety. Not only could this cause them to trip and fall, but for children with sensory sensitivities, certain textures of clothing can be bothersome and distracting. Make sure to ensure the costume is comfortable and wearable, avoid over involved costumes with multiple moving parts.
Keys to Trick or Treating
Trick or Treating is one of the most popular parts of the holiday, and even for those without disabilities, one of the most dangerous parts of the night. Just like with the costumes, it’s all about tailoring your experience to your family's needs, and listening to what they want. As noted when considering costumes, Halloween is often a time where your family will likely be exposed to unfamiliar sights and sounds! Keep the surprises and changes to a minimum, and prep your child by letting them know what they can expect for the day ahead of time. You know your family best, so we can’t come up with a game plan that will work universally but if you can identify what you need, here are some tips that might help you celebrate!
Plan ahead! It can be especially helpful to map out where you would like to go in your neighborhood and keep it contained to areas you and your family are familiar with. The less distractions and new surprises they have to face, the better.
Avoid homes with lots of decorations that light up or make noise.
Avoid trick or treating in dark areas.
Choose well-lit areas to approach or go to community family events like a trunk or treat.
Don’t hand out candy in a scary costume.
Take breaks. All that walking can be tiring! To check in how everyone is feeling, allow time to rest by offering a candy break to your kids during your trick-or-treating journey.
Carry a flashlight, or ensure your flashlight is well charged. Various children with disabilities may already feel out of their element, and more afraid, not to mention all the different sounds and smells they may be experiencing.
It’s Ok to Skip the Candy
As we said earlier, every child is different, and for some, dietary restrictions are a very important part in keeping them comfortable and safe! If you know your child would like some sweet treats, you can prepare some according to their dietary restrictions, and let people know of your child's special needs with a teal or blue pumpkin! The various colors of pumpkins have become a very popular phenomenon, and incredibly informative and useful for everyone. The blue pumpkins that arose to promote autism awareness are most likely inspired by the Teal Pumpkin Project, from the FDA. The FDA started this project in 2014 to help children with food allergies celebrate Halloween by encouraging families across the nation to hand out allergen free treats, or non-food treats for trick or treaters! (Check out their youtube page to see how you can make your own allergen free treats) Similarly, blue pumpkins are here to bring awareness to children with ASD, as they take part in the fun of trick or treating. As children with disabilities travel with their families throughout the night it can be helpful to have non-verbal cues.
House Party?
Have a local community you’re a part of? Try hosting your own inclusive party! Keep an eye on your family, and ensure you have everything that your family wants and needs at your own place! Have fun, keep checking on how your child is feeling, and be ready with something that they love doing, so that you can easily return to that and help them have fun in a different way. Examples include carving pumpkins (should always be done with your supervision and safety gear), making mini-pies, decorating a jar to put a battery night-light in, apple bobbing, toasting marshmallows, or any other crafts your family enjoys!
While these are some good guidelines to follow for the big night, the most important part of Halloween is to have fun! Whatever crafts or snacks your family can safely partake in are what you should be doing to celebrate. If you’re not comfortable trick or treating or never have been, don't force yourself to! If costumes, masks, and candy aren’t the best option for you, consider some of the alternatives we listed above. Halloween may seem like a child focused holiday, but it's about everyone having fun!