Halloween... Autism style

Halloween night

TrIcK oR tReAtInG!!

A most enjoyable treat for kids.

A once a year tradition handed down from the parents where we teach them that dressing up in a disguise and begging for candy door to door is an acceptable behavior.

I hate it.

A Lot.

For us, it is a holiday that requires social skills, patience and coordination that gets rewarded with a LOT of sugar. :(

Finding a suitable costume for a child with tactile sensory. (no tags & no seams) is the least of my problems. Treating their anxiety over the scary thing they just saw pop out of an innocent looking pumpkin, the fear they have from knocking on a door and the communication at the door with the big bowl of choices to make. That's the most exhausting.

did I mention, I don't like Halloween.

So tonight, I prepare the Mummy, Jango Fett, a Vampiress and Strawberry Shortcake for an evening of trick or treating in the rain. In a new neighborhood. and lots of anxiety to share with the entire block. I can hardly contain my enthusiasm........yay.

My children don't share the rest of the world in knowing and understanding a "gray" area. it is either black or white. Very literally, they struggle with the randomness that trick or treating brings.
What do you mean we cant go to that house? Why would they turn their light out? Why did that guy give us popcorn instead of candy? That Lady gave the kid in front of me two pieces, why didn't she give me two pieces?
When offered a bowl of candy to choose from, they see the whole bowl.
They are not spoiled, when they express their disappointment when they don't see a candy they like. Some candies have textures that are undesirable.
They are not just shy, when asked who they are supposed to be. They are not supposed to be anybody. They are them and they are wearing costumes that look like the thing they wanted to wear that year.

They are not being rude when they run in front of someone to get to an open door.
First, they struggle to understand that other people have feelings.
Second, it was an opportunity to not to have to speak.

These are not excuses. These are very real situations for them in every day life. Not just tonight.
We try to teach them the "acceptable" behavior, but they don't understand our reasoning, so it does get forgotten.

Life is very literal. If they see a carved pumpkin with a pant leg and boot sticking out of the mouth, they are pretty sure it just ate a kid. No thanks.
For them, it isn't trick or treating. Its real and its treats. You will forever be known as the scary house where the kids get eaten by pumpkins.

This night of tricks is totally confusing.

I strongly dislike it.

Every year, the anxiety over how the night will go is expressed through bad behavior. ALL DAY.
In years past I have asked them to take a break on their beds. The thought process that leads them to the evenings events, is torture and they are stressed.

I can hardly wait until the evening is done.
I will pretend they didn't have candy for breakfast tomorrow, then I can very patiently wait until next year to go through it all again.

I have a little Serenity and Lavender planned for behind the ears to help with anxieties and an easier bed time after seeing the Giant spider and skeletons hanging from the trees.
and
A little peppermint and a Digestive blend for the upset bellies (if we get any)  :)

Happy Trick or Treating and be safe!!