• BOO! Take out the surprise factor!  Talk about Halloween ahead of time so your child will know what to expect.

• Scope out the neighborhood.  Take a nighttime stroll through the streets where you plan to trick-or-treat and look at the decorations. 

• Teach the rules of trick-or-treating.  Provide step-by-step instructions for how trick-or-treating works.

• Have a dress rehearsal.  For a child with sensory issues, costumes can pose some problems.  Have your child try on her costume far enough in advance that you can make adjustments and alterations if necessary.

• Make a candy plan.  Think pre- and post-trick-or-treating.  If your child has a restricted diet, you could drop off packages of allowable snacks or small toys to your neighbors for them to give to your child.

• Go with friends.  Pair your child up with a neurotypical buddy that can help your child remember the trick-or-treating rules.

• Eliminate the fear factor.  There's a lot going on during Halloween's evening hours that startles the senses. It's dark and there are many people running around in scary costumes. Go before it gets dark if your child would be afraid during the later hours or if you need a less crowded time.

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