Traditionally Halloween is an occasion for children to dress up in colourful costumes, but what extra considerations are there for families with disabled children?
Beyond deciding which houses to trick or treat at and what face to carve into the pumpkin, families with children who have autism, learning disabilities or physical differences have more to consider when it comes to Halloween. But they know from experience how to get around untypical body shapes, the importance of routines, and special diets to make it work and still have fun. Here are some tips for getting the most from the occasion.
Be prepared
This is particularly true for some children on the autism spectrum, for whom routine is all important. Like all other changes to their daily schedule, 31 October has to be anticipated and planned for well in advance. "One way you can do this," says blogger Jane McDowell, "is to have a calendar, and count down the days to Halloween with your child." McDowell writes the Ask-Pergers blog with her son Paddy-Joe, about life on the autism spectrum. If the child likes to know as much as possible about everything, she says, "it can be really helpful for them to learn lots of facts about Halloween such as where it originated from, and why it is still celebrated today."
Explain why people wear costumes
"My children used to be scared of masks and anyone dressed up," says Claire Ryan, who has a son and two daughters on the autistic spectrum. "So we talked to them about dressing up and that the person underneath stayed the same, that it was just how they looked that changed."
The Ambitious about Autism patron says that letting her children dress up at other times of the year in outfits of their choice also helped them to understand the costume concept.
Children with sensory issues can find certain materials and labels scratchy or uncomfortable. The same goes for wigs, masks and face paints. Getting a costume early allows children to get used to how it feels against their skin. Ryan's children sometimes wear pyjamas underneath. Alternatively, say the McDowells, "make a costume from clothes that the child is used to wearing so they feel more comfortable. For example, take old leggings and a T-shirt and tear them to make a zombie costume." If wearing masks is troublesome, they say, "use one on a stick that they can hold in front of their face as and when they want to."
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