Ways to Make Halloween More Inclusive
Halloween is right around the corner! For most, October 31st is a fun day, filled with costumes, friends, and of course, candy! But, for families with different needs, Halloween can be tough. I am hoping to make Halloween more inclusive this year, and I hope you will join me. Listed below are four ways you can make all of your trick-or-treaters feel included this year.
Consider your walkway. Are there steps? Is there a rough, uneven path? If so, consider sitting at the end of your driveway to pass out candy. Not all children are able to navigate front yards. Let’s help our friends that use wheelchairs, walkers, or other assistance better access our home. For those with physical disabilities, Halloween can be a hard holiday. There is lots of walking, wheeling, and stepping involved, so let’s be considerate and rethink our front porch.
Consider having something inedible to pass out for our friends with dietary restrictions. Not all children are able to eat candy. Some use a feeding tube (G-tube), some have sugar intolerances, and some have diets that don’t allow them to eat solid foods like candy. Bubbles, stickers, or even coloring books make great non-edible options! It is so easy to grab a few of these items when you pick up your Halloween candy to have on hand for those with different dietary needs.
There is a common misconception that in order to get candy on Halloween, a child must say, “Trick-or-Treat!” but that excludes our friends who are nonverbal. Not all children are verbal, meaning they speak using their voice. Some children use sign language, some children use iPads or other assistive technology, and some children are still working on their first words. Please be mindful of those who use alternative forms of communication.
Some people get frustrated when those who appear “too old” to trick-or-treat show up asking for candy. Please be patient! A post went viral last year of a mom sharing about her 21 year old son, who has autism. Her son carried a blue jack-o-lantern bucket, to signify the color of autism awareness, and asked those in her neighborhood to be mindful of trick-or-treaters that may appear “too old” to celebrate. Since last year, this trend has caught on with the autism community and many are using blue buckets to help spread awareness. If you’re lucky enough to see a blue bucket this year, welcome your sweet trick-or-treaters with open arms and share a piece of candy!
I hope you are able to implement these ideas into your Halloween festivities this year and welcome trick-or-treaters with a variety of needs to your doorstep!