Halloween costumes that will bring smiles instead of tears Halloween is less than 2 weeks away. Many times this holiday is met with excitement and fun. For children with sensory processing challenges Halloween is stressful and frustrating. Children with sensory processing challenges experience the world very differently. Their bodies often over respond to sensory input. Noises and certain fabrics can send them into a panicked fight or flight state.
Imagine having to walk around in the dark in a wet swim suit with the sound of fingernails running down a chalkboard, and ants crawling all over your body......sensory overload. This is how a child with sensory processing difficulties may feel if forced to wear a costume and trick or treat. Many well intentioned parents may think "you'll have fun if you just try" and force their child to put on a costume and go out with siblings. Unfortuatnely this child will only become more overwhelmed until eventually a meltdown will happen. It is not that the child doesn't want to go, it's that they can't handle all the confusing messages coming into their nervous system. Additionally they see friends and siblings having fun, and struggle to understand why Halloween isn't fun for them. Below are some ways to make Halloween costumes more sensory friends so that all children may enjoy the fun.
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AuthorDr. Kristen has worked as a pediatric OT for 17 years. Her background is NICU, outpatient practice and school based practice. She owns a pediatric therapy clinic in Lincoln Nebraska. Archives
February 2021
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