Celebrate Halloween with Your Child on the Autism Spectrum

I was very surprised, when my son with autism was about four years old, to find that he was very excited about Halloween. With its sensory challenges (costumes, masks, darkness), strange social interactions and unexpected transitions, it can be a very difficult holiday for kids with autism. We took him trick or treating with great trepidation, and stuck to just a few neighbors' homes.

Tommy had a great time that first year - and continues to look forward to Halloween. This year, he was definite about his choice of costume (Mr. Incredible from the Pixar movie The Incredibles) - but easily transitioned to Superman when that was the only superhero available at Walmart. Who'd've thunk?!

One of the biggest keys to a successful Halloween on the spectrum is preparation. Knowing your route, your rules, and your escape route is critical. Just as important is sharing all that information with your child on the spectrum, using social stories and photos - and even practicing appropriate behavior.

I recommend actually rehearsing the Halloween experience. Put on the costumes. Turn out the lights. Flip on the flashlight. And practice knocking and saying "trick or treat." Get another adult or a sibling to answer the door, give out the treats, and ask the inevitable questions ("who are YOU supposed to be?" "are you SUPERMAN? Wow - can you really FLY?"). Practicing not only gives you and your child the confidence you need to be all right on the night - it also allows you to manage any issues (itchy costumes, for example) before they become a problem.

In addition to practicing their lines, children with autism may also benefit from a walk around the neighborhood the night before Halloween. That way, you can experience (and if necessary troubleshoot) problems. Is your child uncomfortable with the smell of burning pumpkin? Is one home decorated in a manner that's likely to overload your child?

Of course, if you're trick or treating with other siblings, it's important for them to be in on your plans. If you think you may need to go home early, be sure another adult is available to take over with other children so they don't miss out on the fun. And help siblings to understand why the jack-in-the-box scarecrow at Mrs. Jones' house might not be so much fun for their autistic brother or sister!

For more ideas, check out:

• Halloween Fun and Autism
• Social Stories and Autism
• Halloween Help from the About.com Guide to Special Needs Parenting (including ideas for treats when your child is on a special diet)