Tips for a Sweet, Sensory-Friendly Halloween

Do people experience sensory input differently? How can we support children with sensory sensitivities as they enjoy Halloween activities?

“Every person’s brain is different. Neurodivergent children often experience sensory input differently. Some children will enjoy certain types of sensory input; for another child the same sensory input may send their nervous system into chaos. It’s all about how the individual’s brain interprets the sensory input and how their brain is able to process the input. 

We don’t always immediately see how sensory input is affecting a person — until it’s affecting them in a way that causes differences in their behavior. For my own children, waiting in line is hard. For most kids, waiting in lines is hard. But my kids’ brains are different, and for them waiting in a line — they don’t see the end result, they don’t see that the line gets them to what they are wanting, no matter how many times I explain that waiting gets us what we want. This is something we work on a lot.

But for events like Halloween, where there are costumes, and candy, and lots of changes in routine — practicing waiting in line is not a priority, and that’s okay. If we are out trick-or-treating and a house has a lot of kids waiting, we might skip that house to save them from the added layer of frustration. This is not enabling them to not wait in lines. This is recognizing that this moment of excitement is not the time to be practicing new skills or building tolerance.”

How can we help loved ones with sensory sensitivities adjust to their favorite costume?

“Costumes are different from everyday clothes. They may be made of a different texture of fabric, have extra buttons or snaps, or have multiple pieces. This can cause a lot of different sensory input for kids. Having your child pick their costume gives them autonomy in what they are wearing. Knowing if a piece of their costumes makes them uncomfortable, they can take it off. It may not look how adults expect, but that’s okay. It’s about having fun while honoring the nervous system’s limits.”

Halloween brings a change in the normal daily routine and a change in the typical environment…how can we support our loved ones through these unique changes?

“Any holiday typically disrupts the typical routine, including changes in daily routines and changes in how we interact with others. On Halloween, we’re telling kids it’s okay to walk up to a stranger’s door and ask for candy — but any other day of the week, we would be telling them not to do that. That is confusing for neurodivergent individuals. Acknowledging those changes in expectations is important. It’s important to answer questions about why it’s okay on this day but not others. Also recognize that some brains may not be able to navigate this change in expectations — and that’s okay too.

There is also the spooky, scary element of Halloween. Some people love the fright of the night, while others do not. Knowing what your child is comfortable with can help caregivers navigate activities. Also, take time to acknowledge when something is scary and makes us feel uncomfortable; it’s important to let someone know, and safely remove ourselves from the situation. ”

Are there steps we can take to help children with sensory sensitivities feel more comfortable during trick-or-treating?

“When preparing for Halloween, it’s important to prepare kids for the different experiences they may have. Include them in picking out their costumes. Practice putting them on and taking them off before Halloween. Practicing trick-or-treating beforehand can be fun. This is a great opportunity to role play what they do when they go up to someone (“say, ‘Trick or treat!’”), get their candy (talk about what the expectation for taking candy is), and thank the person before leaving to show appreciation.  

For my kids, we set a goal of how many houses we want to visit. We also talk about how much candy we can eat. My kids have a ’10 pieces of candy’ rule. Once they eat 10 pieces of candy, we’re done eating candy for the night. I have a visual I use to keep track of how many pieces they are eating. I can show them the visual to remind them how many pieces they can still have. This is good practice in problem solving and not over-consuming candy. I mean, 10 pieces of candy is more than enough on Halloween.”

Are there specific signs that a child is experiencing sensory overload? How can we support them?

“Every child is different and may respond to sensory overload differently. For some kids, sensory overload may cause big emotions — anger, frustration, and sadness. But for others, they may internalize that sensory overload. They may become quieter or shut down.  

As caregivers, it’s important to know our kids’ reactions and recognize what their behaviors may be communicating. It’s also important that we validate how children feel. When they tell us something is scary or that their costume is itching them, acknowledge it and problem solve with them. “Your costume is itchy? Okay let’s take off the itchy piece.” When we acknowledge their feelings, we help them problem solve and learn how to advocate for themselves. If we don’t acknowledge their feelings of discomfort, or tell them to just keep going, we are sending the message that their experience isn’t real or is invalid, and that teaches them not to trust themselves — which is not what we want.  

For me as a parent, there were times when we’d go trick-or-treating, and by the second house, my kids are upset. But I’d keep pushing for another house, because I wanted them to get the full Halloween experience. In hindsight, I know now that I didn’t need to push to the breaking point. Now I follow my kids’ lead. We set a goal of visiting 5 houses, then I check in with them and see if they’re ready to go home or want to keep trick or treating.”