Sarah Bradley of ParentMap.com quoted me in her post about how to handle sensory challenges for neurodiverse children at Halloween. She used several of my tips, including:
- Comfy Costumes – start with a seat suit to make it feel cozy for your child, and consider one with a hood you can stitch ears onto if your child likes to huddle inside a hood for security.
- Practicing Trick-or-Treating – have a practice session at home with family and friends behind the doors of several rooms. This gives your child a chance to practice saying, “Trick or Treat!” and “Thank you” in a safe environment.
- Prepping for Parties – consult with your host to see who else is coming and what activities are planned so you can let your child know what to expect, and ask about a safe place they can retreat to, such as a back bedroom that will be off the beaten track for other party-goers.
- Plan an exit strategy. You never know when sensory overload means they just can’t stay one minute longer. Help them make a getaway before they have a meltdown.
Here is Bradley’s whole article: https://www.parentmap.com/article/halloween-sensory-autism-neurodiversity-tips
