Trick-Or-Treat Neuroaffirming Educational Book- Free Download!
Halloween and trick-or-treating offer a chance for community connection, fun, and celebration, but the excitement can also bring unpredictability and new routines that can be challenging, particularly for neurodivergent trick-or-treaters. Wearing a costume, walking in unfamiliar environments, or encountering unexpected sensory input may lead to sensory overload. Taking time to prepare for these changes can help make the experience feel more manageable and empowering! Our neuroaffirmative educational book about trick-or-treating is designed for people of all ages, with a balance of describing the event, autonomous options like taking breaks, as well as actions the trick-or-treater may take while trick-or-treating. We hope our resource is helpful for individuals of all ages who may benefit from more information on the entire process.
In this free download, options within trick-or-treating are presented as just that- options! For example, some trick-or-treaters in the book may greet neighbors with a verbal “trick or treat,” while others communicate with AAC, sign language, or may not interact with the person answering the door. Our book explains various possibilities so readers can learn more about what to expect on a cursory level of your average trick-or-treating experience.
Our team—including admin, speech therapists, and music therapists—collaborated to create an inclusive, neuro-affirmative educational book that guides readers through common trick-or-treating experiences. It includes a walk-through of trick-or-treating, sensory elements like spooky decorations, and how to navigate situations such as being offered candy that isn’t preferred. Our aim is to respect and affirm neurodiverse experiences while helping people approach Halloween in ways that feel authentic and safe for them. You can access the book by clicking here.
There isn’t one "right" or "correct" way to participate in holiday events, and we can all be supportive of trick-or-treaters who come to our door! Read on to learn ways you can support every person who comes to your door on Halloween night.
Create a Welcoming, Sensory-Friendly Environment
Use soft, non-flashing lights and avoid loud or sudden sounds around your doorway to make your space more comfortable for those with sensory sensitivities.
If you DO go all out with scary Halloween decor and decorations might be intense (like animatronics or fog machines), provide a clear path that bypasses these, or provide a clear sign that lets visitors know what to expect/give the option to skip. This can be particularly helpful if you have decorations that are designed to scare suddenly that may not be visible from the sidewalk!
Respect Costume/Participation Levels
Welcome trick-or-treaters in any attire, including no costume, everyday clothing, or comfort items.
Stop questioning or judging age, appearance, or perceived level of participation. People may participate differently than you expect, and it may or may not be apparent to you why they’re participating differently than you expect. An easy way to make this holiday accesible is to, with grace and compassion, expand your horizons of what participation might look like! Remember: trick or treaters don’t owe you an indication of why they might not be participating in the way you expect.
Offer Candy and Non-Candy Options
Provide a variety of treats, including allergy-friendly, sugar-free, or small non-food items like stickers.
Respect individual preferences and do not insist that trick-or-treaters take or eat a specific treat.
Empower Self-Advocacy and Choice
Allow trick-or-treaters to opt out of certain parts of the process, or leave quickly if needed, honoring boundaries without question.
Thank all trick-or-treaters for visiting, and celebrate their participation without requiring a specific script or social performance. There’s no need to wait for a specific “trick or treat!” or “thank you” before providing a treat. Always assume the best of trick-or-treaters and their people!
Want to see our neuroaffirmative book in action? We invite everyone to join our upcoming sensory-friendly trick-or-treat event, designed for community members to explore Halloween in a welcoming, inclusive environment. Gear up for an afternoon of food, learning, and fall fun this October! We are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting a sensory-friendly open house for all of our clients and community members on October 25, 2025, 3 to 5 pm. Join us at 2906 Beacon Street, Colorado Springs, 80907. All are welcome!
The thing we’re most excited about: practice trick or treating! We’ll have our neuroaffirming educational book about the trick-or-treating process printed and on hand, and 4 ‘houses’ (our rooms upstairs) for trick-or-treaters to stop at. Whether for practice or just for fun, it’ll be a safe and supportive way for folks to engage in fun Fall activities.
Stop by to connect with our team and learn more about our speech therapy and music therapy services while enjoying hot cocoa, apple cider, and comforting food from local vendors. We will also provide games and activities for you and your loved ones. This event is for all ages!
Local food trucks: Gossip Point and Kambles Shambles Soda Shack
4 trick or treating stations, an accessible way for all (the young and young at heart) to have fun and gather goodies
Learn about music therapy and speech therapy at Resonate
Fall crafts and games
Hot cocoa and cider
Music
Drop by anytime between 3-5 pm. Can’t wait to see you!
