For those that might not be familiar with autism, it is important to understand that each child who comes to your door trick or treating has different abilities — some more extreme than others. Certain behaviors might not be or mean what they seem to. For example:
- For the child who does not say trick or treat: They may be nonverbal.
- For the child who grabs more than one piece of candy at a time: They may have poor motor skills.
- For the child who scans your candy and feels disappointed: They may have allergies.
- For those that don’t like the flashing lights: They may be prone to seizures.
These and many more issues are all things to be aware of on Halloween. Here are some tips to keep in mind so that you and your trick or treaters have the best experience possible:
- Be patient.
- Be understanding.
- Have non-food items available for those with allergies. (Learn about The Teal Pumpkin Project by clicking HERE.)
- Above all, have fun!
Halloween is a great time to have a blast with the kids. Following these steps can help make for an awesome holiday!
by Randi Nichols, AHSS Care Team Member
