Having an Inclusive Halloween
Halloween may be the most fantastic holiday of all time! In the end, Halloween is meant to be fun, however, when you have a child with special needs, this holiday can be overwhelming. To help minimize sensory overload, anxiety, and dietary restrictions for these trick-or-treaters, plan ahead! Here’s how:
Dietary Allergies/ Restrictions
Did you know that 1 in 13 children has some type of food allergy? The most common triggers are nuts (especially peanuts), wheat, milk, soy, eggs, and fish.
Help trick-or-treaters know you are an allergy-friendly home by putting out a teal-colored pumpkin or creating a sign to hang outside your door and accommodate food allergies by providing non-food items such as:
- Play-doh
- Pencils
- Fun-shaped erasers
- Stickers
Sensory Needs
Did you know that sensory issues affect, on average, 1 in 6 children in the United States? Experts have explained this feeling to be like a traffic jam for your brain, which can result in anxiety, depression, and other symptoms. For example, a child overwhelmed by loud sounds may cover their ears and hide. Consider having an inclusive home this year for those sensory-sensitive trick-or-treaters by limiting the use of:
- Strobe lights
- Loud sound effects
- Fog machines
These Activities May Be Considered Low-Sensory
- Pumpkin picking
- Alternative pumpkin decorating (stickers, paint, pumpkin push-in kits)
- Movie night
- Spook-tacular dinner (Halloween-themed dinner)
- Silent disco
- Halloween theme coloring book
- Ghost stories
- Fall drive
Inclusive Costume Ideas
Other Disability-Friendly Halloween Tips
- Everyone has different abilities. An individual may not be able to say “Trick- or- treat” or “Thank you.” Do not push for a verbal response
- Be prepared to describe treats for children with blindness or low vision issues
- If your house is not accessible, consider handing out treats in an accessible place that all kids can access.
- Consider Trunk-or-Treats as an alternative to neighborhood Trick-or-Treating
- Do not try to pet or distract any service dogs that are working hard with their trick-or-treaters
- If a child has a hearing impairment, remember to face them so they can clearly see your mouth when you are talking, even if they have an interpreter present
- If you see an adult trick-or-treating, it may be an individual with a disability. Be kind, as they want to have fun too
- Talk with your children about safety rules ahead of time
Inclusive Activities in Utah
- Scary Hill at Cherry Hill
- Little Haunts at This is the Place
- BOOtanical at Red Butte Garden
- Cornbellys at Thanksgiving Point
- Pumpkin Days at Wheeler Farm
BOOtiful Fall Drives in Utah
- Logan Canyon
- Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Guardsman Pass
- Alpine Loop
- Provo Canyon
- Sundance
- Squaw Peak Road
- Nebo Loop
- Ogden Canyon Scenic Byway
- Cedar Breaks National Monument area
- Fish Lake
Sources:
https://connectingforkids.org/Halloween#other
Advocacy Tip:
Make sure you are registered to vote and that your voter information is updated. Call your county clerk or visit this website: https://secure.utah.gov/voterreg/index.html
