Crimson leaves on the ground, football games all around, and temperature cooling down. Autumn is here in Central Ohio. Another event that marks Autumn is trick or treating. While many kids might get excited at the thought of going out in costumes, going door to door, and getting candy, I, as one individual with autism, get sweaty palms, shallow breathing, and a jittery feeling in my stomach just thinking about it.

Before I go further, please note I am just one individual with autism. I am sharing my own experience with the understanding that people have varying experiences and beliefs with Halloween and Trick and Treating. I share my experience to offer another perspective, and in the hopes, people can become more aware of how others might experience and view this day and perhaps offer suggestions on ways to show support.

Although it’s been quite some time since I’ve been a child, I know I frequently became anxious with Trick or Treating. First, I had to decide on what I wanted to be and on a costume. Usually, I repeated the things I enjoyed like Power Rangers (like I said, it’s been a few years) and hockey. The challenging part was making decisions. In a different way, I still find making decisions challenging.

Next, I experience sensory challenges. Sometimes, the costume, such as the mask, was itchy. My elementary school held a parade for students. I marched around the school building with my classmates. So many people, teachers, staff, and family members were all around taking photos and talking. There was so much noise, and I found it visually overwhelming, and loud.

Then after school, I went trick or treating. However, it was challenging to go up to people’s homes, ringing the doorbell, and saying “Trick or Treat.” It didn’t matter if the person was a stranger or not. I find speaking up challenging, and if there were pets, that added to my anxiety. I was more comfortable if I went with others, and they rang the doorbell. Then I could just try to blend in with the group. I soon stopped Trick or Treating.

The anxiety of Trick or Treating has diminished as I have gotten older…slightly. In certain contexts, my anxiety still comes out. For example, at places of previous employment, there would be an opportunity for children and their loved ones to parade around the building. Staff such as myself would hand out candy. I found the environment overstimulating with the noise, costumes, talking, and talking with guests.

Fortunately, there are resources to help us understand Trick or Treating and how individuals with Autism would like to experience it. This experience can and certainly does vary. Also, there are resources to help individuals better support individuals with Autism, and a meaningful and respectful conversation should not be underestimated as well. All of this can take the “trickiness” out of Trick or Treating.

Additional resources are provided below:  

Autism-friendly Trick-or-Treat Tips – Southwest Ohio Parent Magazine (ohparent.com) 

Easterseals | Trick-or-Treating That’s Fun for Kids with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorders 

PFA Tips: Halloween (Make it a Better Experience) – Pathfinders for Autism