Halloween Fun for Kids with Communication Needs
- kailey725
- Oct 22
- 2 min read
Halloween is a time full of costumes, candy, and excitement — but for children with communication or sensory needs, it can also bring challenges. With a little planning and creativity, families can make Halloween both fun and inclusive.
At The ProAACtive SLP, we believe every child deserves to feel included in the celebration. Whether a child communicates through speech, gestures, or an AAC device, there are plenty of ways to make sure communication remains part of the fun.
Making Trick-or-Treating AAC-Friendly
Supporting your child’s participation in Halloween begins before the big night. Introducing common words and phrases as well as routines ahead of time can make trick-or-treating smoother and more enjoyable.
Start by modeling simple Halloween phrases on your child’s AAC device, such as:“Trick or treat,” “Thank you,” “That’s spooky,” “More candy,” or “I see a pumpkin!” Practicing these together helps your child become familiar with where to find the words they need.
Some families also like to create a small visual card or sign that says, “I use an AAC device to communicate.” This can help neighbors and community members understand how your child communicates and respond with patience and encouragement.
At home, you can role-play trick-or-treating to practice pointing to symbols on printed boards, pressing buttons on light tech AAC and high tech AAC devices, using greetings, and navigating through AAC pages. When it’s time to go out, encourage your child to take the lead — whether they use their device, gestures, or a big smile. Every communication attempt counts.
Fun Halloween Phrases to Model
Halloween is full of opportunities to model new vocabulary in real time. During the night, you can use phrases like:
“That’s spooky!”
“I see a pumpkin!”
“More candy!”
“I like your costume!”
“Let’s go!”
“Light on!” or “Light off!”
“That’s funny!”
“All done!”
Modeling language in natural moments helps children see how communication fits into everyday fun. Each word modeled adds to their understanding and helps build confidence using AAC in the real world.
Making Memories Through Communication
Whether you’re walking the neighborhood or celebrating at home, remember that the goal is connection — not perfection. Include your child’s AAC system in the festivities, respond to their communication attempts, and celebrate every message shared.
With the right support, Halloween can become not only accessible but truly magical for every child.
At The ProAACtive SLP, we love helping families make communication part of every season.
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