Hallowe’en can be an exciting time for children and families, especially when barriers are reduced in favour of more accessible, inclusive celebrations. Here are some suggestions:
- If possible, meet trick-or-treaters at sidewalk level, recognizing that children with mobility issues or assistive devices may not be able to navigate stairs or steep driveways.
- Choose decorations and music that can be detected from a distance, and provide a path that allows children to avoid or interact minimally with the display. Certain light and sound features can be problematic for children with seizure disorders, or sensitivities to highly stimulating environments.
- Keep your walkway lit, and ensure that your mouth is clearly visible when you speak.
- Be patient, and understand that children with special needs may communicate non-verbally, require extra time to pick up a treat, or have sensory issues that lead to discomfort with dressing up.
- Consider handing out treats that aren’t food-related. Coupons, stickers, bubbles, books, etc. are great options, especially for children who have food allergies, or who feed by g-tube rather than orally.
- Welcome alternatives to trick-or-treating, such as hosting or visiting a Trunk-or-Treat meet-up, costume parade, spooky story time, etc.
- Follow Treataccessibly.com/home/#where and Facebook.com/treataccessibly/ for updates about where to get an “Accessible Trick or Treating” sign near you.
These tips may be helpful if your child has additional support needs:
- If your child wants to celebrate Hallowe’en, but struggles with the occasion, consider doing a practice run (e.g. watching you put on and take off a costume to become familiar with your altered appearance, going over the trick-or-treating routine at a familiar home, etc.).
- Be open to alternative festivities, if your child would prefer a costume parade, neighbourhood “Trunk or Treat” meet up, spooky story time, etc.
- Find inspiration for walker- and wheelchair-friendly costumes at walkinrollin.org
Wishing everyone a safe, spooktacular Halloween!
By
Leigh Wood Landry
KMFRC Special Needs Inclusion and Parenting Support Specialist Worker