By Leigh Wood-Landry
Plan multi-sensory experiences to be more inclusive of children who are visually impaired.
• Offer puffy paint to decorate an actual pumpkin, or to outline the edges of a pumpkin template. Place items of various textures underneath a pumpkin outline before a child begins colouring.
• Fill a sensory bin with fall and Hallowe’en items that engage various senses: cinnamon, cloves, small pumpkins or gourds, pretend tarantulas or skeletons, etc.
• make a jack-o’-lantern more noticeable by dotting it with lights from a Lite-Brite.
If there are stairs leading to your front door, greet trick-or-treaters at the base of the steps, or place your bowl of Halloween treats within reach of children who use a walker or wheelchair.
Ensuring that your mouth is clearly visible when you speak is helpful to children with speech, language and hearing difficulties.
Be patient. Children with special needs might require extra time to pick up a treat or say “thank you”.
Ensure that decorations and music can be detected from a distance (certain light features or sound displays can trigger children with seizure disorders).
Consider handing out treats that aren’t food-related. Coupons, stickers, bubbles, books, etc. are all great options for all children, particularly those who have allergies, or who feed by g-tube rather than orally.
Avoid singling out children who wear minimal costumes. Dressing up can be difficult for children with sensory issues, and the process of going door to door on Halloween could be a great accomplishment for them!