 Halloween🎃 and Bonfire Night ✨
Halloween and Bonfire Night can be a stressful time for children with additional needs. There is much more sensory stimuli than usual, such as brightly coloured costumes, face paints, fake blood, and loud noises. Going trick or treating can be fun but can also be a disruption to your child’s routine. Fireworks can be fun to watch but can also be scary and loud. Here are some tips to help your child enjoy these holidays.
HALLOWEEN
🎃Costumes - some children may like the sensory feel of the different fabrics that costumes are made of. Some children may find the texture or look of the fabrics overwhelming or uncomfortable. Dress your child in soft, comfortable clothing and put the costume over the top, especially if the fabric is itchy.
🎃Pre-warn, talk about the event – trick or treating can cause anxiety for your child – who is behind the door? Who is under the costume? Prepare your child for these eventualities. Use a social story a few times in the week beforehand. You could also print signs to put on your house to explain to visitors how best to act or explain that you don’t want visitors at all.
🎃Make a plan – use visual aids to plan out the day so your child knows what is happening throughout the day. Use it repeatedly to remind them of what’s next.
BONFIRE NIGHT
✨See, hear, smell - Bonfire Night is full of sensory stimuli. Fireworks are loud, bright and can make the air smell of smoke. If your child is sensitive to sound, try using ear defenders to muffle the banging sounds. If they are sensitive to bright lights, watching fireworks displays on the television at home might be more suitable than going to your local display. Or if you do decide to go, using comfort items (snacks, sensory toys) may help them feel calmer whilst watching fireworks.
✨Pre-warn – talking about the day and warning your child that there will be loud noises may help to prepare them for this event. Use a social story to communicate the events of the day to your child in the week beforehand.
✨Make a plan – use visual aids to map out the day and night for them. Let them know what you are going to be doing and where you will be going.
Click the link below to download a social story on Halloween, as well as some PECs resources.
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