By: Liv Meriano, Speech-Language Pathologist & Chief Operating Officer
October is not just about Halloween —it’s also AAC Awareness Month. AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, which refers to the different ways people communicate besides talking. This can include facial expressions, gestures, communication boards, picture symbols, sign language, or high-tech devices like speech-generating tablets.
For many neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities, AAC is an essential way of expressing themselves. And just like spoken words, it’s valid, meaningful, and deserves to be celebrated. This Halloween, let’s take the time to validate and welcome those differences.
Why Halloween Is Extra Fun for Neurodivergent Folks
For many neurodivergent folks, Halloween is more than pumpkins, costumes, and candy—it’s a celebration of self-expression. It’s a time to explore creativity, face personal fears, and share joy in ways that feel authentic. Halloween invites us to embrace our imaginations and highlight strengths we feel confident in, offering a rare chance to feel fully comfortable in our own skin—in a world where that doesn’t always make that easy.
This Halloween, we want to celebrate your creativity! Have a costume you’re proud of? We want to share it! We’re giving away some treats as part of our Carrots in Costume Contest, read more about how to enter here
Tips for Welcoming Every Trick-or-Treater
Halloween should be accessible to every community. If you’re handing out candy this year, here are a few simple ways to make Halloween more inclusive:
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- Acknowledge effort – Don’t expect everyone to say “trick or treat” or “thank you”. Remember that others communicate this differently or may still be learning – nods, smiles and gestures are just as meaningful! There is no such thing as a right or wrong way to participate in Halloween.
- Be patient. Some kids may need extra time to communicate, grab candy from the bowl or decide how they want.
- Respect costumes and differences. Some children may wear noise-canceling headphones, have mobility devices, or not wear traditional costumes. Be flexible and understanding and think of ways you can adapt to allow them to participate. For example, maybe that’s holding out 2 pieces of candy in front of them and giving them a choice of what they would like to take.
- Make your house more accessible by considering different physical, communication and sensory needs. Ask yourself:
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- How might someone with mobility differences access my door? Having steps or having to navigate through crowded walkways might be a barrier for some, what can I do to ensure equal access? Examples might include clearing walkways or setting up curb-side treat stations.
- Is my house decorated for children who are sensitive to lights, noise or smells? Use soft, non-strobe lighting as this could be triggering for those with seizure disorders.
- Do I have a diverse set of treats for everyone? Having food and nonfood items like stickers, play jewellery, glow sticks, etc. can include children with different dietary needs. Showing and telling trick or treaters what you’re putting in their bag is helpful for all, especially children with visual and hearing impairments.
Free Resources to Practice Trick-or-Treating at Home
To help prepare, we’re sharing free resources you can use with kids before the big night:
- A Halloween Social Story that walks through the steps of trick-or-treating.
- A Visual Support Package that includes:
- A Visual Schedule sequence of trick or treating
- A Communication Board with Halloween-themed words
- Printable practice doorbells so families can role-play knocking, ringing, and greeting before going out on the big night!
- Learn American Sign Language (ASL) words related to Halloween. There are many free videos out there. Whatever learning you choose, we recommend learning from Deaf and hard of hearing people, check out this one by the Rochester School for the Deaf (2018): Halloween ASL Vocabulary
We hope these tools can help you feel more confident and enjoy the magic of Halloween!
This October, let’s celebrate AAC Awareness Month and Halloween together. By recognizing and respecting different ways of communicating, we create a community where everyone feels included—whether they say “trick or treat” with words, pictures, signs, or smiles.
