Dressing ABA Strategies Up For Spooky Season: How Costume Choice Can Build Confidence & Independence

Holidays, including Halloween, can be a daunting time for children with autism. Suddenly, they are inundated with new sights, sounds, and activities that often include changes in their typical routine. It’s perfectly okay to sit out any activity that is more stressful than exciting. However, if your child is interested in participating, there are ways to play ahead and incorporate ABA strategies that make things less stressful and more fun while building important skills.

Dressing up can be a particularly difficult aspect of the holiday. There are unexpected decisions to be made and sensory sensitivities to consider, each unique to the individual. By strategically going about the experience, it can instead be a great way to give your child a little control, helping build their independence and boost their confidence while allowing them to participate in holiday fun. 

All About Choices

Choosing a Halloween costume is a great way to empower your child to make decisions while building independence. Not only is it giving them a sense of autonomy over their own choices, it allows them a chance to determine and express their own preferences in their own way. While the question, “what do you want to be for Halloween” seems simple and practical, it actually can be very overwhelming. Instead, consider providing structured choices based on their known interests, such as “Would you rather be a princess or a superhero?” If you or your child aren’t sure where to start, look at photos or videos together, or break the choices down to smaller questions, like general theme, color, etc. 

Keep Things Sensory Friendly

There is a whole array of options for Halloween costumes - from cute to scary, simple to elaborate. So many of them look amazing, but when it comes to an autistic child the more important question is - how does it feel? Many costume options include itchy fabrics, uncomfortable masks, or uncomfortable textures. The way a costume looks could be perfect and exciting, but if it doesn’t feel good once it’s on, that can spell disaster. Sensory-overload is a common concern, with uncomfortable feelings turning a good time quickly into one of overwhelm and anxiety. Be sure when choosing a costume with your child, you consider their sensory sensitivities to predict potential problems. Some might choose to go with a costume alternative, like a themed shirt or pajamas that are softer, more comfortable and not so different from the norm. When choosing a more traditional costume, consider the following:

• If you can purchase a costume in person, check it over for uncomfortable, scratchy fabric, tight elastic or other triggering materials. 

• Test costumes and accessories ahead of time to look for problem areas. Think ahead by removing tags or providing an undershirt as a barrier between skin and uncomfortable fabrics. 

• Plan for practice sessions, where the child is able to wear their costume at home where they are comfortable for short periods of time. This allows them to gradually be desensitized to the new sensations and get used to the costume in a low-pressure, fun way that sets them up for success later. 

Provide Positive Reinforcement

When a child is proud of a decision they made, that confidence will shine through. That goes for something as simple as a Halloween costume, too! When they have been a part of the decision making process and are proud of their choice, they are more likely to wear it with confidence. As a parent or caregiver, you can reinforce that feeling by celebrating milestones all along the way. Use statements that highlight specific behavior, such as “You did such a good job putting on your costume by yourself!” or “You made such a good choice in that costume - you look so happy in it!” 

Providing these comments through the process allows them to connect that reinforcement both to the effort given through the process itself, and the outcome. Positive feedback will help empower them in the future to feel good about their choices and encourage repetition of the skills they are learning. 

Flexibility Is Important

As a caregiver of an autistic child, I’m sure you don’t need to be told about the importance of flexibility, but it can’t be overstated. Sometimes, things just don’t go how you planned. Maybe the weather isn’t cooperating, plans change or overstimulation comes roaring in. Get ahead of these possibilities by planning ahead with your child. Having a backup costume plan can make things feel less stressful for everyone, using it as a chance to learn how to be flexible. You can use social stories and role playing to consider the possibilities ahead of time, easing anxiety by eliminating unexpected situations. This may sound like, “What could we do if it rains on Halloween?” “If you start to feel itchy in your costume, what can we do to fix it in the moment?” None of these practiced scenarios may come to fruition, but planning ahead builds resilience and problem-solving skills that will carry on to other areas of their life. 

Have Fun & Celebrate

Picking out a Halloween costume is a great way to celebrate Halloween, for more ways than just prepping to get the biggest bag of candy on the block. The learning experience that comes with choosing a costume is multi-faceted. You are teaching your child how to explore self-expression, while empowering them to make their own choices and own them with pride. Be encouraging, helpful and open to the experience and you’ll find that it’s a great moment of family connection that simultaneously strengthens important life skills. 

Halloween Can Help Your Child Bloom

Even if your Halloween plans consist of simply sitting at home snuggling in front of the TV, choosing a costume can be a fun way to enjoy the holiday in a low-stakes way that helps encourage your child to grow. The process should be fun while working to build self-esteem, problem solving skills and pride in themselves. 

Dressing ABA Strategies Up For Spooky Season: How Costume Choice Can Build Confidence & Independence There are many ways that ABA strategies can be incorporated and strengthened through not just holiday prep, but through every day tasks. Bloom Behavioral Healthcare provides ABA therapy to families in the Excelsior Springs and surrounding areas, helping build skills that allow your child to thrive on their own terms. Contact us today to find out if ABA therapy is right for you!