Dress Up for Halloween: 10 Strategies to Help your Tactile Defensive Child Cope with Costumes

Halloween is an exciting time of year but, for children who are hypersensitive to touch (tactile defensive), even the thought of wearing a costume can be daunting.

Here are 10 Strategies to help your Tactile Defensive Child cope with Costumes:

1. If your child is afraid of costumed people, do dress-up activities or read books beforehand to prepare.

   
   

2. Do not force your child to wear a costume. It may backfire.

   
   

3. Consider that dressing up does not necessarily mean wearing a "costume."

   
   

4. Involve your child in planning and picking out their costume. But don't be disappointed if they reject it at the last moment.

   
   

5. The costume should be easy to remove and adjust to keep your child comfortable when reaching, walking, and sitting.

   
   

6. Practice putting on and removing the costume a few times before it is worn. Make sure they can easily use the bathroom.

   
   

7. Build up tolerance to wearing the costume ahead of time so your child can tolerate the feel of the costume, and get a sense of how it looks.

   
   

8. Consider the weather and whether your child would benefit from removable layers or the addition of a jacket.

   
   

9. Many children are particularly sensitive to their faces. Do not insist that your child wear face paint or a mask.

   
   

10. If your child wears face paint, bring baby wipes or make-up remover in case he/she becomes uncomfortable.