Valley Behavioral Health

Halloween is quickly approaching! It is a great time to make memories and do family activities; but, it can be a challenging time for some children with autism. Use these tips to help your family have a fun and successful Halloween!

1. Prepare your child – Prior to trick or treating, spend time watching videos of trick-or-treating or create a visual story for your child. Use pictures, drawings or even read a book of what Halloween may be like.

2. Try on costumes ahead of time so that your child knows what to expect. This also allows time to make sure the costume fits and is comfortable. If your child can not tolerate the costume fabric, consider just a Halloween themed t shirt like one with a pumpkin or a Halloween graphic shirt. Ask your neighbor’s to participate in your child’s preparation. Practice going to a neighbor’s house and ringing the doorbell to receive candy.

3. Safety – Large crowds can be very difficult for children with autism therefore keeping your child safe is the number one priority. Use flashlights or glow sticks to know where your child is at all times.

4. Make Halloween fun not scary- Try going to familiar places that your child may be comfortable with already, such as family or friends homes, or the schools fall festival. Consider avoiding homes with a lot of lights and frightening decorations. Does your child have a favorite stuffed animal or toy? Allow them to bring it with them for comfort.

5. Keep it short and simple. Your child may not be able to go to all the houses in the neighborhood. Maybe just 1 house is a win. It’s okay – don’t try to force more if you see signs that your child is becoming overwhelmed.

What other strategies help you to have a successful Halloween?

Looking for Fun Fall Sensory Activities? Individuals with autism (okay, really all of us) often enjoy a variety of sensory activities. When thinking of sensory activities, think of your child’s preferences…visuals, textures, sounds, pressure, smells, tastes. You want to develop sensory activities and spaces that work for your child’s unique needs.

Try one of these…

Leaf Raking -This can be a great sensory activity as well as an exciting physical activity. Make a pile, then jump on in!

Fall Sensory Bins- Fill a jar or bin with fall items such as leaves, pine cones, pumpkin seeds, and then add water.

Carving a pumpkin? The insides can be a great sensory activity. Put the gooey seeds in a bin and you child can play while you carve.

What other fun fall activities have you tried?

“We’ve tried everything… I don’t know what to do.” Every child struggles with tantrums and concerning behaviors now and then. But, what do you do you if your child is having excessive behavioral concerns or you believe they may not be meeting developmental milestones?
There is help out there. You are not alone. Your child can progress even if they have significant needs.
So…what do you do? Every state and area has different resources and services available to families, but here are some basic steps to getting started and where to look to find support.

1. Do some research, write down exactly what your concerns are, and have specific questions ready.
2. Talk with your pediatrician. They should be able to do a basic screening and can refer you to an evaluator who can do a comprehensive assessment.
3. Make an appointment with to get your child evaluated. Choose an evaluator based on their specialty and recommendations from others. Evaluations are completed by a developmental pediatrician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or a specialized clinic with multiple professionals. Based on the information you provide and the specialist’s evaluation of your child, they will provide you with a comprehensive report of their assessment. Getting an evaluation is a key step in order to access any other services and to getting the support you need. Funding for most services is only available for individuals with a diagnosis. It may be difficult, especially in more rural areas, to find a doctor near you that specializes in evaluating children and many families choose to travel to a nearby city for a comprehensive assessment.
4. Find Services. If your child is given a diagnosed, there are a variety of services and resources available. Insurance companies may fund different services depending on the diagnosis given and what is considered to be effective treatment for that diagnosis. Your doctor will make recommendations for services and supports in their evaluation report.
5. Don’t wait. It may take months to get a diagnosis, and even more time to get access to treatment. Many evaluators and service providers will have wait lists. Most areas have a many more children with needs than they do providers. It is best to make appointments as soon as possible and get on wait lists. For example, for children diagnosed with autism, ABA Therapy is best practice and has been demonstrated to provide the best possible outcomes. But, providers are limited and many have wait lists or limited availability.

Remember:

• Do your own research. Not all doctors or service providers are created equal. All have different skills and specialties and it is important to find support from professionals who can meet your specific needs. Sometimes you may not even be informed of what treatment or resources to seek out.
• Be your child’s advocate. Talk to other parents in your area, your school, county boards, support and advocacy groups, etc. Talk to anyone who might know what’s available. Services may not be offered to you unless you ask. Know your child’s rights and find supports who will help you along the way.