Braille Works

8 Tips to Help Your Child Enjoy a Spook-tacular Sensory Halloween

As parents we all want to dress our little ones up and have them experience the Halloween that we remember as kids. However, for some kids this can be an unpleasant experience. From the feel of the costumes to the smell of the candy to the unfamiliar voices and homes Halloween can be overwhelming, especially for children with a sensory disability. With careful planning and reasonable expectations it can be exciting for your child and your family.

1. Try different costumes on your child and see which one allows for appropriate movement, comfort and visibility (if your child has partial sight).
2. Have your child wear the costume prior to the event you plan to attend. This will give them a chance to feel the fabric and get a sense of their spatial limitations. They will be able to adapt their movements to accommodate the costume (mask if used).
3. Feed your child a healthy meal prior to attending an event or before trick or treating. This will limit the urge for candy consumption.
4. Set limits on the amount of candy your child can consume while attending an event or while trick-or-treating, the fuller they are the less likely they are to garbage-up on treats.
5. Allow your child the feeling of control by agreeing to a pre-determined check-in times that allow your child the option of ending the activity or event.
6. Should your child appear over-stimulated locate a place that is calm and away from high activity to take a sensory break. Often the negative sensation will pass and you can transition back into the typical flow of the group.
7. Allow your child to listen to the Halloween style music and fill goodie bags or place candy into containers. Your child should adapt better to the smells and sounds of Halloween when exposed in a familiar setting.
8. Respect your child’s concerns. If your child is feeling uneasy in a situation allow a secret word to be used. The word will immediately indicate to you that your child is highly agitated or excited and needs an immediate sensory break.

Braille Works wishes you all a sensory fun and comfortable Fall Festival/ Halloween Event!

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