Trick or Treating Tips from our Clinicians

Halloween can be A LOT—especially for kids with learning differences. But it doesn't have to be!

I polled three speech therapists and one occupational therapist on our team who work with neurodivergent kids every day, and they shared their advice for making Halloween less stressful.

From sensory toolkits and practice runs to communication supports and costume hacks, discover tips that work in real life. Plus, find out why therapists are begging parents near Salem, MA to trick-or-treat literally anywhere else! 🎃

Let go of Pinterest-perfect expectations and create a Halloween that works for YOUR unique kiddo—whether that’s one house or two hours. Every win counts!

Read the full guide for game-changing strategies that'll help your family have the best Halloween!

Lessons from: Katie Welch, OT Team, Ali Kaminski, Emma Ganci & Melanie Hitchens Speech Team

October 2025

Picture Source: Rawpixel

Halloween Tips for Neurodivergent Kids:

Let's be honest: Halloween can be a lot. Like, A LOT a lot. And if you're raising a kiddo with learning differences, sensory sensitivities, or communication challenges, you're probably already thinking about all the things that could go sideways.

The good news? I talked to some amazing speech therapists and occupational therapists who work with kids every single day, and they've shared their best tricks for making Halloween actually fun instead of overwhelming. Whether your child has autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, speech delays, or other learning differences, we've got you covered with practical tips that actually work!

Forget the Pinterest-Perfect Halloween (Really, Let It Go)

Here's the number one tip from the whole team: Take a deep breath and release those expectations you're clutching. I remember feeling stressed about my speech delayed child in an elephant costume saying “Trick or Treat.” He was petrified.

Success doesn't have to mean a pillowcase full of candy and Instagram-worthy photos. Maybe success is your child tolerating the costume for 3 minutes. Maybe it's them saying "trick or treat" to one person. Maybe it's just getting out the door. All of these? They're wins worth celebrating.

When you let go of what Halloween "should" look like, you make room for your child to participate in whatever way feels right for them. Less pressure on you, less pressure on them, more actual fun for everyone.

 Your Halloween Kit: Sensory Edition

Kids with sensory processing differences aren't being picky when they say Halloween is too loud or too scratchy or too much—they're being honest! The sounds, sights, smells, and general chaos can genuinely feel overwhelming or even painful. That's where your trusty sensory toolkit comes in.

Noise-Cancelling Headphones: Your New Best Friend

Those screaming animatronic decorations? The doorbell symphonies? The crowds of excited kids? For some kiddos, it's like someone turned the volume all the way up.

Pro tips:

• Test them at home first (don't discover on Halloween that your child hates how they feel)

• Let your kid decorate them with stickers to match their costume

• Pack extra batteries if they need them

• Practice wearing them while doing fun activities so they feel like a positive tool, not a punishment

Fidget Bag of Wonders

Pack a small bag of fidgets that help your child regulate when things get intense. Think of it as their personal zen toolkit:

• Squishy stress balls

• Textured objects they love to touch

• Chewable jewelry if that's their jam

• Those satisfying pop-it toys

• Whatever sensory tools already work for your unique kiddo

Social Stories: Make it Known

New situations can be anxiety central for kids, especially when they don't know what to expect. This is where social stories become your secret weapon!

A social story is basically a friendly little guide that walks your child through what's going to happen. For Halloween, you might include:

• What trick-or-treating means (spoiler: free candy!)

• Where you'll go and what the streets will look like

• What happens when you knock on a door (someone opens it—wild, right?)

• What to say or do when that happens

• That you'll collect candy in a bag

• When you'll come home

Read it together multiple times before the big night. Use pictures if that helps. Make it personal to your child. The goal is turning "scary unknown" into "oh yeah, I know what happens next!"

Practice Makes... Less Stress!

Do a practice run with a friendly neighbor before the actual night. Seriously, this is game-changing!

Buttonwood Children's Therapies is hosting practice trick-or-treating all next week! Lyon on our patient care team will have candy ready to help your kiddo practice in a supportive, chill environment.

Practice runs help because:

• Your child learns the whole sequence when stakes are low

• You can spot potential problems before game day

• Kids build confidence through successful trial runs

• Your child gets to feel like a trick-or-treating pro!

Can't make it to Buttonwood? Recruit understanding neighbors, grandparents, or friends. Even practicing at home—knocking on your own bedroom doors and receiving candy from different family members—can make a difference.

Communication Supports

If your child is nonverbal or has limited verbal communication, the social expectations of Halloween (say "trick or treat!" say "thank you!") can feel like unnecessary barriers to candy acquisition.

If your child uses a speech-generating device, communication board, or other AAC system, bring it along and load it up with Halloween goodies:

• "Trick or treat!"

• "Thank you!"

• "Cool decorations!"

• "I need a break"

• "All done with Halloween now, thanks"

No dedicated AAC device? No problem! Print out paper bracelets with prompts your child can point to.These wearable communication tools allow your child to participate in the social parts of trick-or-treating without verbal speech.

AAC Halloween Bracelet

You Need to Regulate Too (Yes, You!)

Hot take from the therapists: Your calm is contagious, and so is your stress. Kids pick up on caregiver vibes.

Before Halloween hits, take care of your own nervous system:

• Get something besides candy into bellies. My mother in law, Karen’s, pro-tip.

• Set realistic goals

• Build in buffer time so you're not rushed

• Know your own stress signals

• Remember it's okay to bail early if needed

• Practice some self-compassion because parenting is hard and you're doing great

If you're running around stressed and anxious, your child will feel that energy and it might trigger their own dysregulation. But if you're calm and flexible? That creates a sense of safety that helps your child navigate challenging situations.

The Great Costume Test: Avoid Halloween Meltdowns

Some children may find costumes uncomfortable, overwhelming, or restrictive, leading to meltdowns.

At Buttonloop Children’s Therapies, we recommend the "Costume Test" before Halloween night:

• Introduce the costume early: Let your child see, touch, and try on the costume several days before the event.

• Check for comfort: Make sure the fabric isn’t itchy or too tight and that accessories (masks, hats, props) don’t bother your child.

• Sensory break-ins: Practice wearing the costume in short intervals and gradually increase the time.

Remove all tags and uncomfortable bits before Halloween night and lose the mask if it's causing issues.

Personalized Game Plan

Every kid is different, so mix and match these tips to create your own Halloween strategy:

Two weeks out: Start the social stories and Halloween chat

One week out: Costume try-on number one, still time to return

A few days before: Practice runs with neighbors

Day before: Final prep check—sensory tools packed? Communication supports ready? Costume comfy? You got this!

Halloween day: Stay flexible and celebrate every win!

Here's the thing: when your child successfully navigates a social interaction with the right supports, when they choose to try something new because they feel safe, when you see them genuinely smile while getting candy from a kind neighbor—all that preparation becomes 100% worth it.

And one final practical tip given we are in the North Shore… (AKA The Salem Situation)

If you live near Salem, Massachusetts... avoid it!

Listen, we love Salem. Salem is amazing. But  if you're trying to create a calm, manageable Halloween experience for a child with sensory sensitivities, Salem in October is like playing the game on expert mode. 

Cheers to a happy Halloween for every single kid—however that looks for your family! 🎃

Want your child to feel supported in a neuro-affirming environment focused on individualism and strengths? Click here to contact us!