6 Ideas to Help Autistic Kids (or any kids) Who Feel Anxious at Halloween

Halloween, with its ghosts and witches and goblins is an exciting time for many. But for others, Autistic children and adults included, is not a favorite time of year. It is too scary, too intense, and far too stimulating from a sensory perspective.

Many of us who work with kids - or have kids ourselves - know that getting through this time of year and even enjoying it is a lofty goal. Here are some ideas I have put together through my own experience working with Autistic children and through looking at some research on child development.

1- Understand Child Development:

Halloween fears are normal for the 7 and under crowd. Research shows that children only begin to differentiate between fantasy and reality at ages 3 to 5 (University of Texas, 2006).

Try This Approach:

* Don’t be surprised if a child shows fear. Instead, reassure them and tell them they’re safe.

2- Talk to Children:

Prepare kids for what’s to come!

Let children know what to expect at a gathering but don’t paint things as good or bad: Say, “Children will wear costumes.” Then tell them what they WILL or MAY enjoy. “The throwing games you may enjoy.”

3- Involve the Autistic Child in Planning:

Try these approaches:

* Practice “Trick or Treat” at home or at school. Kids give out pretend candy!

* Offer a child Halloween and non-Halloween choices:

Does she want to color a bat, a pumpkin, or a butterfly?

4- Alternate Activities:

Follow a Child’s Lead!

We can see when an activity makes a child feel anxious, so offer options. Try these approaches:

* A child could spend time in another classroom during a Halloween party at school.

* Offer a favorite activity to distract a child when Trick or Treaters come to the house or when driving through a scary, decorated neighborhood.

5- Sensory Supports:

Try these approaches:

* Limit the duration of activities.

* Ensure a child wears a costume with comfy material.

* Give a child explanations of what will happen at an event.

* In case of sensory overload, go to a quiet space.

6- Scared of Masks?

Terror of masks is a common childhood fear. Masks block a person’s expressions. This is disorienting to kids.

Try These Approaches:

* Play with ”Make-Up”. Kids learn that faces can look different.

* Make “costumes” for dolls. Use aluminum foil, material, tape. It helps when kids “make” costumes themselves.

* If a child is comfortable, play with a pleasant mask and a mirror.

I hope this is helpful and feel welcome to share any Halloween coping strategies that you use. I would love to hear them!

More from Dr. Lisa Marnell and Kids Master Skills . . .

This fall Dr. Lisa launched an AOTA-approved professional development entitled, "Insight to Autism for School-Based OTs"!

This self-paced, online course provides 8 AOTA Contact Hours (0.8 AOTA CEUs) and walks OTPs through a process to bettter understand their Autistic students, support them in schools in ways that align with their Autistic neurobiology (enabling them to feel less stress and experience better quality of life), and show them how to optimize Autistic students' learning while also guiding teachers, staff, and admin to adopt neuroaffirming practices!

Check out Dr. Lisa's professional development at this picture link!

And if you are a parent, teacher, or other school professional, you can take Dr. Lisa's course tailored for you! Learn more about a course for you at this picture link!

If you want to learn more ways to support your autistic students, watch my FREE MasterClass that offers you proactive supports for sensory sensitive children and teens.

Register and watch it HERE: https://www.kidsmasterskills.com/ 

Also, do you have my 10 Neurodiversity-Affirming posters? Download them HERE! 

As always, feel welcome to touch base with me by e-mail at KidsMasterSkills@gmail.com

I would love to hear about your successes, your struggles, your feedback, and any questions or comments you have! Let me know if this post was helpful.