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Surviving Halloween Advice

Below are submissions from parents like you who have been there/done that and want to share their advice on surviving this time of year.

School Parties

If surprises are a problem for your child with autism, tell him what is in the package before he opens it. This can be especially hard at school parties when kids bring gifts for a boy or a gift for a girl and exchange among the class. It could turn out to be something your child is allergic to, is scared of. A better idea is to buy a gift for the exchange but buy it for your child and make sure it's designated for him during the class party. And if helpful, tell him what to expect the present to be.
Janice, Grand Forks, ND

Dealing with and Avoiding GFCF Infractions

We spent the holidays with our large family. We asked the one household who also is challenged with food allergies to be the host house. If you can’t find something as great as this, educate someone to help you in a large gathering. If there will be 50 people together, find the one aunt that will believe in what you’re doing and take it upon herself to advocate on your child’s behalf when it’s time for dinner and snacks.
Janice, Grand Forks, ND
Our doctor offered to call anyone to explain or answer questions about diet with relatives we’d be spending the holidays with.
Janice, Grand Forks, ND
Here is something my kids have always done since going GFCF. After they trick or treat, the sell back the candy to me since they can't eat about 75% of the candy. We do 10 cents for the snack size candies and 5 cents for the smaller candies. That way the kids have to work on their math too. I usually buy back their bounty for about $10, then they can buy a toy. Everyone is happy.
Becky, San Diego, CA
Charcoal, extra enzymes, epsom salts baths and lots of water, also tonic water also never send them out hungry. They are less likely to eat junk if they aren't hungry!
Nancy & Vicki, Sonoma, CA
Set a route and coordinate with neighbors ahead of time that your child knows, go early before it gets crazy and dark and give the neighbors special treats, toys, and GFCF candies to deliver to your child!
Lisa, Costa Mesa, CA

Sensory Friendly Costume Ideas

A few years ago, our oldest son with ASD has severe sensory issues. We couldn't get him to put on a costume for the life of us! So one night I had an epiphany. He had an obsession with punctuation. I know it sounds silly but he was really enjoying learning about grammar at school. So I suggested he be an exclamation point! I took a pair of black sweats, cut the tag out of course, and drew exclamation points all over them with glow in the dark fabric paint. Think of the Riddler from Batman. He looked so adorable and was quite the conversation topic. He loved explaining that he was an exclamation point and people thought that it was so creative.
Melanie, Visalia, CA
Favorite pajamas with long underwear for warmth and favorite slippers, or just pajamas and a baby bottle with a big lollipop (gfcfsf of course) and soft shoes and long socks. Gloves are good for handling yucky stuff.
Nancy & Vicki, Sonoma, CA
For children who don't like masks, face paint is always a good choice and you can get it gfcfsf and fragrance free.
Nancy & Vicki, Sonoma, CA
Practice wearing the costume at home in the days leading up to Halloween. You can also choose costume ideas that have mo masks or face make-up.
Lisa, Costa Mesa, CA

Sound Sensitivity

You can do costumes that take advantage of head phones such as radio announcers, airline or jet pilots, astronauts, disc jockey with phones and mixing boards, or princess Leia with her big braids, etc., ear plugs can be hidden by long hair and hats!
Nancy & Vicki, Sonoma, CA

Schedule and Structure Anxiety

My husband and I make a picture schedule for our 5 year old son with Asperger's syndrome when holiday time comes up so he knows what to expect. We read over it with him first thing in the morning, and when the inevitable visit to the family arrives, we review what will happen at the "party", 1st we'll open presents, 2nd we say thank you for the gifts, 3rd we eat, 4th we have free play, 5th we go home. We never stay anywhere longer than 2 1/2 hours because we know any longer than that will be too over-stimulating and we don't want to leave with a tantrum on our way out the door. Also, and most importantly besides the schedule, my husband and I take turns "supervising" our son so that we can watch his behaviors for over stimulization, then we can leave early if we need to. To leave him completely unattended would open him up for teasing by the cousins because he is easily irritated by all their spontaneous movements and unstructured play. We can't emphasize the body-guard/schedule combination enough!
Dana, Boise, ID

GFCF Candy That You Can Pick Up Just About Anywhere