Halloween Tips and Treats

Halloween can be a spooky time...especially for young people with autism. That's why we've created this helpful guide for families on making Halloween fun, safe and comfortable.

Sensory Friendly Halloween Costume Tips and Tricks

Halloween can be difficult for autistic children, especially when you consider that many costumes are scratchy, uncomfortable, sticky, tight, or too loose! Borrow some of these tips and tricks to make your child’s Halloween costume a little more sensory friendly!

·      Utilize everyday clothing to make your costume! Think: Cowboys and cowgirls with plaid button-up shirts and jeans, or go full Ted Lasso with a track suit and some cute sneakers!

·      Use sensory clothing a base or add-on for a costume! How about a weighted vest for a police officer offer costume? Or what about a tight onesie as a base for a black cat!

·      Look for PJs that double as costumes! Major retailers like Target often carry pajamas printed like a skeleton, ghosts, or pumpkins!

 Allergen-Friendly Halloween Treats

Halloween can be a challenging season for those with dietary allergies or sensitivities! Try these

·      If you’re a Reese’s fiend, try...Free2b Bag o’ Treats Dark Chocolate Sunflower Butter Cups!

·      How about Cookie Monsters? Try Made Good Soft Baked Mini Cookies

·      And Starburst lovers...YumEarth Chewys

·      Seeking Skittles? Give YumEarth Giggles a try!

·      Love Laffy Taffy? Give Zaffi Taffi a whirl!

·      For savory-seekers...Monster Shaped Veggie Chips, Pirates Booty Boos & Bites is an allergy-friendly way to go. Bonus: sneak some veggies in for picky eaters!

Trick or Treat Tips

Trick or Treating can be overwhelming for kids with autism! Routines are changing, there are often bright or flashing lights, and lots of unfamiliar noises. Use these tips to make sure your kiddo can enjoy a favorite American tradition.

·      Focus on comfort when picking a costume (see our Sensory Friendly Costume Tips and Tricks!)

·      Practice ahead of time! Much of the Trick or Treat routine will be unfamiliar—practice saying hello, holding their Trick or Treat basket, waiting, and saying “thank you.” Practice makes progress.

·      Give non-vocal communication options. If your child is non-vocal, help them use words in a different way. Create a paper bracelet that they can show with “Hello,” “Trick or Treat” and “Thank You” icons and practice showing or pointing to those pictures.

·      Use visuals! Create a visual story or sequence of what Halloween may be like for your child, with pictures or drawings.

·      Make it manageable! If need be, limit the amount of time spent or number of places your child will visit.

·      Bring supports! Make sure to pack headphones, earplug, fidget toys, or other sensory items that might help regulate your child during a time of lots of new sensory input.

Sensory Friendly Halloween Events

Try these sensory-friendly events that will help you make the most of Halloween. 

Sensory & Allergy Friendly TRUNK N TREAT, Saturday, October 29

Drop by for a free, fun-filled afternoon of trick or treating in a sensory-friendly & fun environment for our community children and families. My Recess Therapy, Rising Lights Project & Community Partners in Care are hosting a trick-or-treat alternative. Kids can trick-or-treat from trunk to trunk in a line-up of vehicles parked in the DuPage Airport Parking Lot with trunks or tailgates full of allergy friendly goodies and activities to participate in. 31W775 North Ave. West Chicago, IL. Learn More!

Sensory Shenanigans - Pumpkins

Singing, dancing, and stories for the whole family! Tickets for storytime will be available the morning of the program on a first-come, first-serve basis. Friday October 28, 10:00am - 10:30am at the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library, 768 Oak Street, Winnetka, IL. Learn more!

Illinois State Benefit Programs and Organizations

Illinois has several Medicaid waiver programs that provide services to individuals with certain disabilities who are at risk of placement into an Intermediate Care Facility for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (ICF/DD).   These programs can also be utilized for financial assistance for autism, providing the help you need to support your family.

PUNS, or Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Service, is a statewide database to record information about individuals who are potentially in need of service due to developmental disabilities. The state randomly selects individuals who are enrolled in PUNS for services as funding becomes available. During the enrollment process, an Independent Service Coordination Agent (ISC) works with the individual and their family to identify services that may be needed.

The Special Recreation Association Network of Illinois provides special recreation services to adults and children with disabilities. Some communities and cooperatives offer various opportunities for scholarships. You can get in contact with a special recreation association (SRA) in your area.

The Chicago Autism Network helps local individuals and families find and afford effective therapy and support for autism spectrum disorder. They offer Autism Parent Workshops and grants for financial aid.

For the Grace Of offers several opportunities, including scholarships, friendships through social gatherings, and support for individuals with disabilities and their families. Scholarships can be awarded for a specific item, such as assistive technology, service animals, and mobility devices.

The University of Illinois Chicago offers a resource Center for Autism and Developmental Delays to support those who teach, care for, or serve children with autism. They offer school resources, digital interactive activities, referrals, training, ongoing consultation for families and professionals, and tips. RCADD offers its support at no cost.

The Illinois Department of Human Services’ Health Insurance Premium Payment (HIPP) helps pay insurance premiums for those who have private medical insurance or secondary public medical insurance (Medicaid) and high-cost medical conditions. The insurance must be available directly to the individual or through someone else, like a child's parent.

The Autism Hero Project promotes autism acceptance while working to change public policy. They sponsor medical insurance for children with autism to help them gain access to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy through their grant program. They strive to create a world of inclusion  

It’s our hope at CABS that these autism resources can aid your family and give the financial help you need as we build the necessary support skills for success of your loved ones. If you have any further questions about ABA therapy please contact our Itasca location. We can be reached at 800.844.1232 or visit us in person at 975 W. Hawthorn Drive, Itasca IL.

Financial Assistance and Resources Georgia

Georgia State Benefit Programs and Organizations

Georgia Medicaid offers TERFA / the Katie Beckett Program, which allows for some individuals 18 and younger to receive Medicaid benefits without meeting the income requirements for Medicaid. Other criteria, including level of care required, are used to determine eligibility.

Family Support Services are state-funded supports through Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities to assist families in accessing services that allow them to continue to live and thrive as a family unit.

While CABS is able to provide information about the support services that exist, we are not experts in navigating the application processes. In Georgia, there are organizations such as Raise Them High that may be able to provide assistance for accessing these services, though they may charge a fee for their services.

It’s our hope at CABS that these autism resources can aid your family and give the financial help you need as we build the necessary support skills for success of your loved ones. If you have any further questions about ABA therapy please don’t hesitate to contact us. We can be reached at 800.844.1232 or you are more than welcome to stop into our clinic to speak with us in person!