Printable SPD Halloween Cards for Children That Struggle with Costumes and Greetings

My son loves Halloween.

No, wait. This is saying it lightly.

My son is OBSESSED with Halloween.

When he was four years old, he insisted on and even planned his own Halloween birthday party IN JULY. Yes, my son loves Halloween.

Due to his extreme excitement, his sensory processing needs, and his anxiety, this is a cocktail for a month of meltdowns and the need for lots of wine for this mama. Halloween can be incredibly hard for some children, even the ones that love it the most.

This year, in preparation, I’ve decided to make these printable SPD Halloween cards for children that struggle with costumes and greetings. While I know these are not for every child, it can make or break the evening for children with neurological differences.

Halloween Notes for Sensory Processing Disorder* This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. Click here for my full disclosure.

Whether your child has sensory processing disorder, ADHD, Autism or another sensitivity that makes Halloween difficult, you want your child to be successful.

As parents, it can be hard to get the eye roll, or the stink eye when your child can’t or won’t speak but just puts their bag out for candy. In addition, it can be really hard to explain to others when your child refuses to wear a costume but still wants to join the festivities.

If you are a friendly neighbor, grandparent, or friend, this behavior can be extremely confusing. In this post, I plan to share common “misbehaviors” during Halloween, what you can do to make Halloween easier for those kids, and a free printable card to cut the explaining down to a minimum.

Why Some Children Might Need Printable SPD Halloween Cards

As I have mentioned before, Halloween can be an exciting but overwhelming holiday for many children. Every one of their senses are challenged and their anxiety is tested to full capacity. Things that are not real seem so real on this day, and their brains are forced to process a lot of information at one time, causing children to shut down or worse go into a complete sensory meltdown.

Here are a few common behaviors to watch for: 

  • Constantly touching decorations without regards to safety or rules
  • Running from house to house without slowing down
  • Not saying “Happy Halloween”, “Trick or Treat” or “Thank You”
  • Refusing to go to the door
  • Pushing other children out of the way
  • Screaming with loud noises
  • Covering ears
  • Easily startled at decorations, costumes, and masks
  • Agressive attitude
  • Unfiltered comments about the candy/treats they receive

For many of us, we want to see these as misbehaviors and bad parenting. I want to assure you that it is not those things. Even for children that are neurotypical, Halloween can be extremely overwhelming to the senses and can overwhelm the brain, making it hard to make “appropriate” and “acceptable” choices.

These cards are designed to share a little information (without sharing too much) with the people in your neighborhood to better understand your child. The hope is they can look past the behaviors and help you give your child the best Halloween you can.

Printable SPD Halloween Cards for Children That Struggle with Costumes and Greetings

These cards are super easy to use and print. I have made them without any “diagnosis” on the printable because I know there are many children that struggle on this exciting day of the year. Since I also know that the struggles can vary depending on the child, I have created two pages with two different statements. If you need a different statement, don’t hesitate to let me know so I can make you the version perfect for your family.

SPD Printable Halloween Cards

One final accommodation I included was the use of different kinds of Halloween images, from spooky to completely non-spooky. This way you can find the perfect version for your child.

SPD Printable Halloween Cards

While these can be extremely helpful to making your Halloween smoother, this isn’t all you need. I have decided to share my top ten tips for surviving and thriving during Halloween with a child with sensory needs, anxiety, ADHD, Autism or all of the above.

Sure Fire Tips for Surviving (And Thriving) Halloween with SPD in Mind

  1. Practice Run | Test the costume, test going to a neighbors house, test walking down the block. Test all of it. You want to give your child enough time to process and make sense of everything they will be doing on the big day.
  2. Alternative Costumes | Be prepared with different shoes, a different mask, different gloves, etc. A child can get overly overwhelmed by the tactile input of many Halloween costumes.
  3. Make a Plan |Many children do so much better when they feel a sense of control. During Halloween, everything can feel out of control for your child. Give them a clear plan (and even a schedule) of what is going to happen on the big day.
  4. Lower Expectations | This is one of my biggest tips for all holidays. Even though you might have done Halloween last year, or your child is getting older, don’t assume that the evening will go perfectly. When you are in the mindset and prepared for only a few houses or a few minutes of trick or treating, you will be more successful when your child is ready to be done.
  5. Exit Strategy | Have a plan in place or a retreat ready for when your child gets overwhelmed and can’t go anymore or handle any more stimuli.
  6. Buddy Up | Having a buddy system can be great for children that might otherwise be nervous to approach new homes and new faces. Having a friend walk with them can be just what they need to feel comfortable.
  7. Be Flexible | I know you spent hours on the perfect costume. Be prepared to let your child go with absolutely no costume if it is bothering them on the big day.
  8. Teal Pumpkins | Look for houses that are displaying a teal pumpkin or sign that they have non-candy treats. Non-candy treats can be perfect for children that have a food sensitivity or get overwhelmed by sugar and new flavors.
  9. Safety Precautions | Children with sensory needs can be prone to running into a street, jumping over bushes or pushing children. Be prepared for what you are going to do when this happens, practice a safe body and personal space before you head out for the night, but be prepared to give lots of reminders.
  10. Have Fun | Most of all, have fun. Take your deep breathes. Keep everyone safe and when you get home, collapse on the floor and make yourself a nice Halloween cocktail. You deserve it when you survive Halloween!

More Halloween Tips for Children with SPD, ADHD and/or Autism

Halloween Social Stories – And Next Comes L
Halloween Tips for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder – Northshore Pediatrics
Halloween Sensory Play Ideas – Lemon Lime Adventures
Printable Emotional Monsters – Lemon Lime Adventures

Print this Free Printable Version Of “SPD Halloween Cards”

This post comes with a  to share with friends, take to parties, or to pass out as you trick or treat. Get yours today!

SPD Printable Halloween Cards

Printable Halloween Cards SPD Autism

More Adventures in Sensory Processing

52 Multi-Sensory Activities Every Busy Kid Needs

Top 10 Tips for Avoiding Sensory Overload during Thanksgiving

 

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