Hosting an inclusive Halloween
Halloween is on the horizon and the team at AkinCare are getting EXCITED!
With that being said, while Halloween can be an absolute blast, it can also sometimes lack inclusivity. It’s important to remember that Halloween can come with some easily preventable challenges for some kids and in order for everyone to celebrate and have a great time, some things need just a little bit of extra consideration.
For our friends and family that take part in Halloween festivities, here are a few of our tips for hosting an inclusive Halloween;
The Challenge - Dietary Restrictions
It’s important to remember that many children may have food allergies or conditions that affect their ability to eat Lollies and Sweets and these allergies and food related issues can make the idea of Halloween treats a bit daunting but it’s an easy fix!
If your halloween festivities are a private celebration among friends and family, having a conversation around dietary restrictions and what options are available makes the menu easier to navigate.
If you hope to see trick-or-treaters at your door then consider having a non food option for your treats such as stickers, small toys or even cute stationary like pens! Having these options available can make a massive impact on someone's Halloween experience.
The Challenge - Sensory Overload
1 in 6 children is affected by a sensory processing disorder, and these symptoms can become more pronounced at Halloween. Oftentimes the decorations that are synonymous with Halloween can be quite overwhelming and so can the costumes.
Communication with your friends and family who wish to join in on your celebrations is again a great way to navigate this challenge but for a broader community event you can consider limiting sensory triggers such as fog machines and strobe lights or even create a quiet space for someone experiencing sensory overload to use should they need.
The Challenge - Anxiety
While many of us look forward to the spooky fun traditionally involved in celebrating Halloween, children with anxiety disorders may be so overcome by fears that they are unable to participate.
The best motto we’ve heard for celebrating Halloween with children is “Fun not Fearful” and it can be applied to EVERY child. We interpret the motto to mean making choices like not intentionally scaring trick or treaters or cutting out the scarier more realistic decorations and potentially saving them for more adult celebrations. You can still embrace the spirit of Halloween without these things and the choice to avoid them can make a lasting impact.
The Challenge - Communication
Being mindful that not everyone communicates the same way is incredibly important when Trick-or-Treating traditionally depends on a verbal exchange. We can embrace inclusivity When addressing trick-or-treaters by making sure they can see your face and mouth as you speak. This can help children who struggle with speech and hearing issues. Additionally It’s important to keep in mind that some children are non-verbal. Do not try to push or force a verbal response and be aware and understanding that some people may not be able to give you your expected social feedback.
Halloween is such a fun holiday and we can continue to make it that much better by making it safe and inclusive for everyone. Being thoughtful about how we celebrate Halloween can make a massive difference to people with disabilities and putting that thoughtfulness into practice ensures that Halloween becomes a holiday that brings joy to everyone, regardless of their unique needs and preferences.
