Blog- Halloween & Sensory Processing Disorder

How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Sensory Ideas for Halloween/Trick-or-Treating

October 30, 2018Tri-County Therapy Blog autism costume Halloween occupational therapy OT pediatric therapy physical therapy sensory activities sensory processing social story speech therapy trick-or-treat

It is incredibly important to know the signs of over-stimulation and strategies for how to help your child avoid a sensory meltdown. While trick-or-treating, be conscious of these signs and intervene at the first sign of over-stimulation. If you have followed each of our October blog posts, you are now well prepared for trick-or-treating, so get out there and have some fun!

Know the Signs of Sensory Over-Stimulation

Blank staring/”spaced-out” look

Crying

Drowsy or falling asleep unexpectedly

Rubbing eyes

Running away

Covering ears

Turning away from you

Yawning when shouldn’t be tired

Covering his/her face with hands

Fussy or cranky

Sensory Strategies to Help Your Child Avoid a Sensory Meltdown or Recover From Over-stimulation During Trick-or-Treating

Provide deep pressure at the first sign of over-stimulation (bear hugs, massage, joint compressions, etc.)

Bring a blanket that you can wrap tightly around your child to provide deep pressure

Pay attention to your environment and try to avoid triggers if possible

Allow time for transitions

Stick to the schedule

Provide your child with verbal warnings for upcoming changes and when the activity will be concluded

Bring noise reduction headphones or headphones for preferred calming music

Bring weighted blanket or vest

Bring a wagon or stroller that you can use to provide your child with calming linear rocking input

A wagon or stroller can also be used as a sensory retreat (a place for you child to remove him or herself from the situation) and take a break

Bring a fidget toy or stress ball

Have your child do heavy work activities like push a sibling in the stroller or pull a sibling in the wagon

Other: Halloween Sensory Activity Ideas

Pumpkin carving

Spider web for praxis skills

Fine motor tongs to remove spiders from sensory bin

Thank you for reading How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Sensory Ideas for Halloween/Trick-or-Treating

Written by: Carleigh Brawley, MS, OTR/L

Lead Occupational Therapist

Tri-County Therapy

SaveSave

How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Social Story For Trick-or-Treating

October 23, 2018Tri-County Therapy Blog autism costumes Halloween occupational therapy OT pediatric therapy physical therapy sensory processing social story speech therapy trick-or-treat

Sensory-avoiding children are often resistant to change because change represents an opportunity to experience unfamiliar and potentially distressing stimulation. Transitions can be challenging for children with sensory differences, as they tend to prefer consistency and routine, so that he knows exactly what to expect. Social stories are a great way to prepare your child for novel experiences or changes in his routine. Social stories are a tool used to help talk-through new situations and prepare for change and transitions.

Tip #1: Create a Trick-or-treating/Halloween Social Story

Create a trick-or-treating social story specific to your plans or you can download the general trick-or-treating social story we have created here!

Trick-or-Treating Social Story PDF

Tip #2: Read the Social Story

Read the social story to your child every night for at least a week prior to trick-or-treating for Halloween. This will help your child familiarize herself with what to expect and helps give her a sense of control.

Tip #3: Ask Questions About the Social Story

Ask your child questions regarding the social story to ensure she has understood the story, as it relates to her on Halloween.

Thank you for reading How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Social Story For Trick-or-Treating.

Written by: Carleigh Brawley, MS, OTR/L

Lead Occupational Therapist

Tri-County Therapy

SaveSave

How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Prepare For Meeting New People

October 16, 2018Tri-County Therapy Blog autism costumes Halloween occupational therapy OT pediatric therapy physical therapy sensory processing social skills speech therapy trick-or-treat

Children with sensory differences may establish certain rituals and routines to carefully control the sensory input she receives from the environment. Sensory-avoiding children are often resistant to change, including new people, because change represents an opportunity to be bombarded with unfamiliar and perceive harmful stimulation. Meeting new people can be especially challenging for children with sensory differences, as they tend to prefer consistency and sameness.

Tip #1: Use Cards to Increase Understanding of Sensory Processing Disorder During Trick-or-Treating

Have your child hand out cards like the ones you see here (+ pic of card) or download the free printable version (http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/TrickOrTreatCards.pdf ) to hand out during trick-or-treating. These cards can help raise awareness of sensory processing disorder and help others understand why your child might act differently than other trick-or-treaters. These cards will help people understand that your child is doing the best she can to participate and enjoy this fun activity!

Tip #2: Practice Trick-or-Treating at Your Own House or at Those of Friends and Family

Practicing can help your child know what to expect during trick-or-treating. Simply ask your family and friends if you could come practice at their house so that your child can become more comfortable with the process of trick-or-treating.

Tip #3: Pair up With a Familiar Buddy for Trick-or-Treating

Ask a friend or family member to have her child trick-or-treat with your child. Make sure your child is familiar with the child that you have chosen to go trick-or-treating with your family. Having a friendly face to trick-or-treat with your child can help comfort her and relieve some of the pressure she might feel to engage with strangers.

Thank you for reading How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Prepare For Meeting New People.

Written by: Carleigh Brawley, MS, OTR/L

Lead Occupational Therapist

Tri-County Therapy

SaveSave

How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Costume Choices

October 9, 2018Tri-County Therapy Blog autism costumes Halloween occupational therapy pediatric therapy sensory processing speech therapy trick-or-treat

Children with sensory sensitivities often have a low tolerance for incoming sensory stimulation and therefore, may become bothered by certain sensory input (such as lights, noises, or smells) more than peers. These children may become disruptive and agitated in attempt to avoid an aversive stimulus. Therefore, it is incredibly important that we understand our children’s sensory needs and make smart costume choices!

Tip #1: Choose a Costume Your Child Can Wear Over His/Her Clothes

Children with extreme sensory sensitivities have low thresholds for incoming sensory stimulation and can become distracted or distressed when these thresholds are exceeded. So, when picking a costume, choose wisely to make trick-o- treating as enjoyable as possible for everyone! Choose fabrics that are similar in texture to the ones you know your child already tolerates wearing on a day-to-day basis. If you can’t find a costume made of similar fabrics, then choose a costume that your child can wear over his or her normal clothes to create a barrier.

Tip #2: Choose a Costume That Provides Your Child With Squeezing/Calming Pressure

If possible, choose a costume that provides your child with deep pressure, as this gives her calming input throughout the day/night. In response to squeezing or dee pressure, our sensory system produces a neurochemical that has a calming effect on other sensory systems. If you can’t find a costume that provides this deep pressure, try allowing your child to wear a heavy backpack as part of his costume. Be creative! Maybe it could be a ninja turtle shell backpack, or he could even wear a cape over the weighted backpack so it can’t be seen. A Lycra/Spandex suit type costume is another good costume choice that may provide your child with calming proprioceptive input. Allowing your child to wear something weighted or tight will provide her with calming input that may make everyone’s night more enjoyable!

Tip #3: Avoid Light Touch From Costumes

When possible, try to avoid costumes that require face painting, masks covering your child’s face, or have parts, such as tags or tassels, which might irritate your child’s light touch receptors. A child with tactile sensitivities might be aversive to light tactile input on her face or be bothered by certain textures like masks or face paint. Light touch is considered an alerting sensory input and is typically less tolerable than deep pressure input, as it can cause distress in your child.

Thank you for reading How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Costume Choices.

Written by: Carleigh Brawley, MS, OTR/L

Lead Occupational Therapist

Tri-County Therapy

SaveSave

How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Avoid Too Much Sensory Stimuli

October 2, 2018Tri-County Therapy Blog autism Halloween occupational therapy pediatric therapy physical therapy sensory ideas sensory processing speech therapy trick-or-treat

It is incredibly important to understand our children’s sensory needs, especially around those holidays that can already be overwhelming for most. Unexpected or repetitive sensory input can cause your child to reach his or her sensory threshold at a much faster rate than you may expect. Your child, therefore, may experience over-stimulation and cause a fight-or-flight response!

Tip #1: Avoid Repetitive Doorbell Ringing

If you have a little one who avoids or seems to be more sensitive to sensory input, you may be planning on staying home to hand out candy rather than taking her trick-or-treating. If this is the case, try putting on a familiar movie for your child, while you set up by front door. This way you can catch any potential trick-or-treaters walking up to your house before they ring the doorbell. Unexpected or a continuously ringing doorbell may cause your child to experience sensory over-stimulation.

Tip #2: Trick-or-Treat at Familiar Houses

There are always those houses that go all out for Halloween with frightening surprises as you approach the front door. These unexpected and frightening surprises could send your child with sensory differences into a state of fight-or-flight, as it may cause him to feel out of control of his sensory systems. If you plan to take your little one out trick-or-treating, try going to familiar houses, such as those of friends or family members. You also could try trick-or-treating at houses that are handing out candy in their driveways. By selecting certain houses with people handing out candy in the driveways or homes with which your child is familiar, you can hopefully avoid the ones with those unexpected surprises!

Tip #3: Go to a Trunk-or-Treat or Mall Event

Trunk-or-treats can be found at places such as local churches, schools, and often malls have trick-or-treating events. These events can be a great alternative to traditional trick-or-treating for those with sensory differences. Trunk-or-Treats or mall events are great because they provide a more routine pattern, so the child knows exactly what to expect at each stop.

Thank you for reading How To Have A Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Avoid Too Much Sensory Stimuli.

Written by: Carleigh Brawley, MS, OTR/L

Lead Occupational Therapist

Tri-County Therapy

SaveSave