Strategies to plan for a more fun Halloween for children with autism

Halloween is just a weekend away and when we have a child with autism in our family, it won't be as easy as throwing on a costume on the evening of and going treat-or-treating. Halloween comes with a barrage of changes from regular routine for any child but more so for a child with autism who might have severe challenge with unplanned transitions from familiar to unfamiliar. The event is a big change from routine. Everything from clothing, decorations at home and at other people's homes in the neighbourhood, lights and sounds, food items, social demands, unfamiliar faces and loud crowd in some cases. But with a little planning, Halloween can be fun for kids with autism as well.
So, how to prepare for Halloween?
Make a list of points to consider. For example:
1. Costume: Some costumes are more abrasive or smell more than others and might bother a child with autism who has physical sensory problems. Some might find the wigs itchy even for a brief period of time. Just have him go without or if possible, apply some colour on the child's hair if absolutely necessary.
2. Social script: Write a short script (keep it to five or six lines) or draw a picture of what it would mean to go trick-or-treating, where you will go, what will happen at the doors of people, what can the child expect to hear and get from homeowners at their doors, what their decorations might look like, a few days before Halloween and read it or go over it together with your child. It would be great to post it on the fridge so the child can look at it every day until Halloween.
3. Route: practice going on the route that you plan to take with your child on Halloween evening and depending on your understanding of your child's patience and temperament, plan for the number of houses that you will be going to and tell you child that number so that the expectations are clear and stick to it.
4. Food: If your child has food allergy, make a clear rule for your child that candies and food items that he or she is given during treat or treating can only be eaten at home after your inspection.
5. Plan B: If your child simply cannot tolerate going trick or treating in the busier neighbourhood where there are lots of children or where the decorations are likely to trigger a meltdown, take your child to quiet streets or just role play at home with family members.
Hope you and your child will have a great time at Halloween this year!