Inclusive Halloween

By Jennie Renner

Happy Halloween! For some families this is easier said than done. Have you ever thought about what Halloween is like for a child who has a disability or food allergies? It’s something Fort Wayne mom Cassie Beer has thought about a great deal.

Cassie has an 11-year-old son with physical and cognitive disabilities. Watching him trick-or-treat over the years, she saw how uncomfortable people were with his inability to communicate. She understands it can be difficult for someone who doesn’t know him to know how to interact with him. Now she is on a mission to make Halloween more inclusive.

For starters, Cassie says to begin with empathy. “Think about a parent who has a child who is blind. Think about what they have to go through every day… Anything you can do to make the holiday a little more special for children who face challenges will be appreciated.”

Cassie encourages parents to talk to their kids about children with disabilities. Before going out trick-or-treating, she urges them to discuss that we all have different abilities, but that doesn’t make one person better than the other. “Ask your children, ‘How can we go out of our way tonight to make sure other people have a good holiday?’” If parents are uncomfortable having these conversations, Cassie says that PBS has episodes of Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street that feature characters with autism and other disabilities that might help them get started. She also recommends volunteering for organizations that support those with disabilities so that children (and parents) can become more comfortable being around people who are different from them. Turnstone, Easterseals Arc, and The League are good places to start.

Here are some other simple things Cassie suggests you can do to make your Halloween more inclusive:

1. Think about the path to your door. Does it have steps or other obstacles that make it challenging for kids with mobility issues? If you have a long driveway, sit at the end of the drive. Consider positioning yourself or your treats in a spot that is easy to get to.

2. Offer non-food options for kids who have

food allergies or dietary restrictions. FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) promotes the Teal Pumpkin Project, a campaign asking people to display a teal pumpkin or signage indicating that their house has alternatives to candy. Offer small toys, stickers, or other non-food prizes in a separate bowl.

3. Don’t force kids to say “trick-or-treat” as children with autism or speech disorders may

find it difficult to do so. Be aware that communication could be a challenge for some children and give them a pass on this Halloween tradition.

4. Don’t judge or withhold treats from those who may look too old to be trick-or-treating.

A sixteen-year-old with intellectual disabilities may developmentally be half that age.

Being inclusive doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. If you are mindful that the holiday isn’t easy for everyone, you can make it a Happy Halloween for more children. a