COMMUNITY

September 24, 2024

Halloween Tips & Safety Information

Halloween can be tough for kids with physical disabilities, sensory issues, or food allergies. They might miss out on trick-or-treating and Halloween parties due to a lack of accommodations. Even finding Halloween costumes can be disheartening for some children with disabilities.

Here are 5 ways to make Halloween inclusive for kids with disabilities:

1. If your house has stairs, set up a lawn chair at the bottom of the steps so kids who use wheelchairs can get to you.
2. Some kids have feeding tubes, and others may have sensory issues with food or be on a strictly controlled diet. It’s helpful to have a second bucket with non-edible treats like bubbles, Play-Doh, or stickers for them to choose from instead of candy.
3. Some kids with disabilities can’t talk or may require extra time to process before they speak or respond. Don’t insist that kids say, “trick or treat,” which would single them out.
4. A lot of kids with special needs require extra time to fully participate, so please be patient!
5. While you might admire a child who is struggling to walk, try not to single them out for this. It’s fine to tell them they did a great job, but be sure to say something about their costume, their candy bucket or anything that doesn’t have to do with their disability.

Be accepting and don’t jump to conclusions. The girl who is grabbing more than one piece of candy might have poor fine motor skills; the boy who takes forever to pick out a piece of candy might have motor planning issues; the child without a costume might have a sensory issue or autism. Be nice, and patient, and create a healthy, fun and fully inclusive Halloween for everyone to enjoy!