Fun Fall Activities for Children with Autism: Trick or Treat Edition

It’s officially Fall! Along with the change in temperature, Fall ushers in major holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving.  We’re here to help you make the most of your Fall with suggestions for experiences and tips so your family can enjoy all that Fall has to offer.

Trick or treating is a night of spontaneity, folklore and fun. It’s an occasion many children look forward to, but it may present various challenges unique to children with Autism. 

Halloween creates lots of opportunities for adapting to change: costumes, busy and excited crowds, and talking to new people.  Although the night can be filled with magic and surprises, it can be “tricky” to navigate, so our goal is to provide tips for you to prepare.

Below are some suggestions to aid you in planning for this experience.

1. Pick a comfortable costume for your child. Let them try it on in the comfort of your home and adjust to wearing it.
   
   
2. Know your child’s limits. Select a reasonable time frame and quota of houses to visit so you can manage expectations.
   
   
3. Create a map or visual plan. Letting your kiddo know how many houses you’ll go to before they eat their candy might make waiting easier.
   
   
4. Choose houses of neighbors who are familiar with your child. See where you can create familiarity on a night with so many surprises.
   
   
5. Practice trick or treating. Ideally this can be done with a friendly neighbor or even throughout the rooms of your house, so your child can familiarize themselves with the process.
   
   
6. Read stories and watch movies before the experience to help know what to expect. Examples of stories include Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete, Llama Llama Trick or Treat, and The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat
   
   
7. Plan to trick or treat earlier than the rest of the crowd to try and keep the rest of the evening following your usual nightly routine.
   
   
8. Bring along a preferred toy if it brings comfort.  
   
   
9. Bring headphones to block out noise if they have helped with loud, busy places in the past.
   
   
10. HAVE FUN!

Remember, it’s ok to keep things short and sweet! We hope some of these tips help set you and your family up for a successful Halloween!

Do you have any tried-and-true tips from previous outings? Let us know in the comments below!