10 Tips For An Autism-Friendly Halloween

Oct 16, 2024

6 min read

Halloween is an exciting time for families—filled with fun costumes, classroom parties, and trick-or-treating. As with any holiday, Halloween should be an inclusive experience where all children, including those with autism, can participate. While the holiday can present challenges—like costumes, crowds, and sensory stimulation—it also offers a wonderful opportunity for your child to learn new skills while embracing the festive spirit.

As BCBAs practice personalized home ABA in San Francisco, San Jose, and everywhere in between, we understand the unique challenges families may face during Halloween. That’s why we’ve put together our top 10 tips, grounded in ABA principles, to help you prepare and ensure your child enjoys the holiday—one step (or treat!) at a time.

🧙‍♀️ 1. Witch Costume Fits Best? Let Your Child Decide!

Costumes are a big part of Halloween fun, but they can also bring sensory challenges. Many have scratchy, bulky, or restrictive fabrics—something we’ve all experienced when we’ve worn an uncomfortable costume for the sake of the look.

For children with autism, sensitivity to texture, thickness, and the feel of clothing can be overwhelming. What might seem like mild discomfort to you can be unbearable for them.

Pro Tips:

Child’s Choice: Let your child choose their own costume. You may want to buy multiple options and then have your child try them on at home. This empowers them to choose what they feel most comfortable in, and you can easily return the ones that don’t work.
Backup Costume: Have a backup costume ready, such as comfy Halloween PJs, or let them wear something cozy underneath their regular costume if they change their mind at the last minute.
No Costume? No Big Deal: Remember, wearing a costume isn't mandatory for celebrating Halloween! Your child can still enjoy the festivities without one.
Adaptive Costumes: Check out the range of adaptive costumes available at Target, designed for those in wheelchairs or with other medical needs.

Consider a costume based on regular clothes to keep things comfortable and stress-free.

Here’s some ideas:

Halloween-themed pajamas - you can’t beat the coziness!
A shirt featuring your child’s favorite character.
Sports jerseys from their favorite team, paired with a hat or accessories.
A simple cape or headband that doesn’t interfere with their comfort.
Have them wear their school backpack and go as a '1st grader' (or whichever grade they’re in) for an easy, familiar costume!

🍬 2. Candy Considerations: Managing Allergies and Dietary Challenges

Did you know that 1 in 13 children have food allergies? Kids with autism are even more likely to face additional medical challenges, including food sensitivities, allergies, and restricted diets. They also experience sensory issues related to food. Trick-or-treating can be stressful for families because you can’t control the candy being handed out.

Here are some tips for navigating Halloween with children with food allergies,

sensitivities, and those with complex medical needs:

Set up a candy swap with your child. Let them know that at the end of the night, they can trade their candy for a special prize or toy. This way, they still enjoy the fun of trick-or-treating without the focus on candy.
The Teal Pumpkin Project is a fantastic initiative that helps families find houses offering non-food treats like small toys or stickers. To participate, simply place a teal pumpkin outside your home or display a sign explaining your involvement. You can also check out their free map to locate participating houses near you. It's a wonderful way to make Halloween more inclusive for all kids!
Prepare a trick-or-treat bag with allergy-safe treats for your child. After each stop, they can exchange their candy for a safe treat from your stash!

🦇 3. ***Bat*ten Down the Boundaries**

Setting clear expectations can help maintain the calm during trick-or-treating. Share the plan with your child, including how long you’ll be out, where you’ll go, and when you’ll return. If it’s your first time, start small—visit just a few houses before heading back home. Encourage your child to help create this plan based on their comfort level.

🕸 4. ***Spider-Sense*: Know the Sensory Triggers**

Loud noises, bright lights, or unfamiliar decorations can be overwhelming. Consider a sensory-friendly Halloween by avoiding houses with excessive decorations, lighting, or loud music. You might also bring noise-canceling headphones and favorite fidgets to manage unexpected sensory surprises.

Another thing to consider is if your child gets jumpy when they hear your doorbell ring. If so, consider disabling the doorbell, and just setting a bowl of candy outside the door.

🎨 5. Ghoulishly Good Alternative Fun

If trick-or-treating sounds too daunting, that’s okay. Remember that there are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween.

Halloween at Home: Set up an indoor scavenger hunt, carve pumpkins, or watch a cozy Halloween movie.
Trunk-or-Treat: These local events, often held by churches, community centers, or shopping centers, tend to be low-sensory events held in parking lots. Here are some in San Jose and San Francisco.

Sensory-Friendly Events: Explore sensory-friendly events in the Bay Area, including those offered through the Therapeutic Recreation program by San Francisco's Parks & Recreation Department. Notable autism-friendly Halloween events in the Bay Area include Halloween Fun hosted by the San Francisco Autism Society, and the "Play Your Way" program for children with autism at the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose.

🌙 6. ***Ghost*busters of Anxiety: Practice Makes Perfect**

If your child feels anxious about Halloween, a little practice can go a long way! A few days before, create a mini trick-or-treat rehearsal. Have your child put on their costume, practice going outside, ringing the doorbell, and saying “Trick-or-Treat.” Help them rehearse by taking just one candy, saying “Thank you,” or answering when people ask what they are dressed up as.

For an added twist, switch roles! You can go outside, ring the doorbell, and let your child be the one to hand out candy.

If your child is nonverbal or unable to say “Trick or Treat”, consider making cards that say “Trick or Treat” and “Thank You” for them to hold up. If you choose to disclose your child’s disability, you could carry a sign like this. However, this decision is entirely personal, so do what feels best for you and your child.

🦉 7. ***Owl Always Check*: Give a Heads-Up**

For children who need more structure, it helps to give them a “heads-up” before each activity. Before knocking on a door, remind your child to greet the person, say “Trick or Treat,” and take a piece of candy.

Social stories and visual schedules can help prepare them for each step of the evening. For instance, this customizable "All About Halloween" social story allows you to add your own photos and text to make it personal for your child. Your child’s ABA therapist can also help design a tailored Halloween social story or visual schedule based on their unique needs!

👻 8. ***Boo*-bye to Crowds: Plan a Low-Key Route**

If your neighborhood gets too crowded and overwhelming, consider heading out earlier when it's quieter and still light outside. You could also reach out to a few neighbors and ask if your child could trick-or-treat the day before. Another idea is to create your own trick-or-treat route inside your home. Simply close the doors to different rooms, and have your child knock and say “Trick-or-Treat” to receive candy or a prize from each one. This is a great way to enjoy Halloween in a low-key, sensory-friendly environment.

If you plan to be out during busier times, consider bringing a stroller or wagon for your child to sit in. This can provide them with a safe, comfortable space if they start feeling overwhelmed.

🕷 9. Don’t Get Tangled in the Web of Pressure

There’s no need to pressure your child (or yourselves) to participate in every Halloween activity. If they only want to hand out candy or decorate the house, that’s perfectly fine! Let your child lead the way in choosing how to engage with Halloween, and don’t feel pressured by what others are doing.

Focus on what you can do and the positive experience you're creating, rather than what you're not doing.

🕯 10. ***Light the Way*: Safety First!**

Halloween can be hectic, so prioritize safety. If you're out at night, consider breaking out the glow sticks to keep them visible. For crowd concerns, set up a buddy system and stick together. It’s also wise for your child to carry identification, and taking a photo of them in their costume before heading out adds extra security.

A Spooktacular Halloween—Your Way!

Halloween doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning and flexibility, you can create a fun and memorable experience for your child. Whether you're out trick-or-treating or having a quiet night at home, the goal is to make it a Halloween that works for your whole family.

Your child’s ABA therapist is here to help you get ready for Halloween, addressing any specific concerns you may have. Whether it's practicing saying "Trick or Treat" or learning to take just one piece of candy, ABA can help your child build important skills. At Celeration ABA, our Bay Area BCBA therapists work directly with your child, providing consistent, personalized therapy.