Today is day 30 of Sensory Processing awareness month. Tomorrow is Halloween. You dont have to be diagnosed with SPD to struggle with Halloween. Even neuro-typical kids can get freaked out by scary lights or noises, irritated by itchy costumes, or hyped up by artificial sweeteners and colors in traditional Halloween candy. From the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) here are five tips for helping children with sensory challenges enjoy Halloween. Remember these as kids are coming to your door this year along with the fact that anywhere from 5-15% of all children have sensory challenges: 1. Prepare for the day. Halloween traditions often clash with established rules, like taking candy from strangers. To help children understand what Halloween is—and is not—read stories that reflect your values ahead of time. Unpredictable events like the unexpected “boo” or changes in routine like new foods or places can be challenging for some children. Reviewing and rehearsing the activities through stories, songs, and pictures will help your child anticipate activities more favorably. 2. Make costumes safe, comfortable, and imaginative. Before shopping, parents should share costume guidelines with their children to prevent in-store meltdowns. Consider whether your child will feel comfortable in character. Will your child be cold and willing to wear a coat over his costume? Make-up may also feel slimy, and its smell may be off putting. Will your child think the fabric is too scratchy, tight, slippery, or stiff? A child with sensory processing challenges may appreciate the “less is more” approach. For example, a short cape may suffice a superhero costume or a green shirt could indicate a turtle or frog. 3. Trick-or-Treating can be pleasant, up to a point. Practice the sequence of walking to the door, saying “trick or treat,” putting the treat in the bag and offering “thank you” at homes of familiar neighbors. Children may benefit from starting early and avoiding the dark. Consider trick-or-treating on quiet streets or only at homes of family and friends to keep the comfort level high. Skip homes with flashing lights, loud noises, and especially scary decorations. Review and rehearse street crossing. Eating candy while trick-or-treating can pose a choking hazard or trigger allergies. Determine the ground rules on indulging before leaving home. 4. Cater to your child’s strengths throughout the day. Some children will seek opportunities to touch “eyeballs” and pumpkin innards because they enjoy touching wet or squishy textures. Other children will prefer to keep their hands dry by decorating jack-o-lanterns with stickers and markers rather than carving. Devise strategies ahead of time by inquiring what party activities will be offered. For example, a child who may not like bobbing for apples could participate by putting the apples in the bucket. Consider planning an event with a few friends, and save well-attended parties for the future. 5. There’s no place like home. Know when to stop the festivities. Look for signs of sensory overload in your child—fatigue, hyper-excitability, crying, and combativeness. Often, children like handing out the candy just as much as receiving it. - See more at: aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/consumers/Youth/Halloween%20tip%20sheet.ashx
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 15:28:12 +0000
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