Tips to Help Your Loved One Have a Fun and Safe Halloween

When the weather begins to cool off, the leaves on the trees start changing color, and pumpkin spice flavor is the drink of choice once more, we are all aware that the fall season is upon us, and Halloween is fast approaching. 

However, there may be several challenges or thoughts that cross your mind when you start to think about your loved one with disabilities and the approaching holiday.  

Here are a few tips to help ensure your loved one enjoys the occasion while staying happy and safe. 

Make sure your loved one’s costume makes them happy, and accommodates their needs 

Comfort should be the number one priority when selecting a costume, but above all, have fun with it! Letting your loved one choose what they want to dress as will help them feel excited about your Halloween plans.  

If your loved one has a wheelchair, cane, or crutches, you can look up costumes that make these items part of the ensemble. Target has some available. Make sure that your loved one can move freely and that there is no fabric or prop limiting their mobility.  

If your loved one has sensory challenges and they don't like the way the fabric of traditional costumes feels, consider using their everyday clothes to make a costume. Each person will have a different comfort level with dressing up, so meet them where they are and understand that if they don’t want to dress up at all, that’s okay.  

There are many other fun ways you can enjoy the fall season together, such as enjoying seasonal treats, visiting a fall fest, decorating a pumpkin, or going apple picking. 

If your loved one has a dietary restriction, make sure to have treats they can enjoy 

Dietary restriction is something we have no control over, but what we can do to navigate this is to make or buy treats your loved one can enjoy so they don’t feel left out.  

When you know there will be an occasion with treats that don’t meet your loved one’s dietary needs, be proactive by bringing your own. If your loved one is planning on going trick-or-treating, hand them one of the special treats you brought every time you visit a house for candy.  

If you are comfortable and know your neighbors, you can give each house one of the treats to give to your loved one. It is important that your loved one feels included in the fun activities.  

Always make safety a priority 

We know that you are dedicated to making sure that your loved one is safe every day, but Halloween can bring a new set of challenges.  

If your loved one is trick-or-treating, make sure they are wearing some form of reflective clothing so that they can be seen when it is dark. In addition to the reflective piece of clothing, make sure that they are always by your side or in your sight to eliminate losing them in the crowds that may congregate in the streets or by houses.  

If you go trick-or-treating, please make sure to examine your loved one’s candy before they eat it to make sure it is sealed and hasn’t been touched. 

Know when it’s time to go home 

Keep an eye out for signs that might signal your loved one is tired, overstimulated, or simply just wants to go back home to their safe space.  

Halloween can be very overwhelming and overstimulating, so there is no shame in retiring early and finding something fun to do at home, or just relaxing for the rest of the night.  

We hope you find these tips to be helpful and that you and your family have a happy, safe, and fun Halloween this fall season!