Speech Therapy for Nonverbal and Selectively Speaking Kids: Helping Children in NYC Enjoy Halloween With Confidence
There are many things we can do as parents, caregivers, therapists, and community members to support a nonverbal or selectively speaking child during this magical season of Halloween.
Children who have limited speaking abilities can still fully participate in all the Halloween festivities and trick-or-treating activities on Halloween night.
How Can I Support My Nonverbal Child During Halloween?
During this magical and sometimes spooky time of year, I invite you to create an inviting environment in which your little ones can explore their imaginative and creative side.
Here are some simple tips and tricks I incorporate into speech therapy for nonverbal kids. I invite you to try with your child to get them ready for Halloween night:
- I invite you to let them take part in choosing their Halloween costume. Show them different costume options. Then, have them point to the one that excites them the most!
This fosters autonomy and self-expression.
- Go to the store together and gather the supplies needed to create your child’s chosen costume or character.
This grows memory, organizational skills, and vocabulary.
- Encourage your child to select or create the pumpkin or trick-or-treat bag that they will use on Halloween night to collect their goodies.
This builds independent decision-making skills.
- Practice dressing up in the costume before the big night!
This encourages creativity, imagination, and self-expression.
- Explore trick-or-treating with your child several days before Halloween night.
I encourage you to practice knocking on a door within your own home with your child, while another person is positioned on the other side of the door. This is to open it when your child comes knocking!
The purpose of this exercise is to create a feeling of familiarity and routine before the big night.
- Your child can then practice waving hello, communicating with gestures, and pointing or using their augmentative-alternative communication device or picture symbols to greet people.
This encourages successful conversational exchanges using different means of successful communication modalities.
- Your child can also practice opening their trick-or-treat bag for goodies and place a sticker, toy, or prize inside the bag.
This activity builds strong fine-motor and overall motor-planning skills.
What Can You Do If Halloween Feels Scary or Overwhelming for Your Child?
I have outlined some trick-or-treat activities that accept and embrace alternative forms of communication, such as the use of vocalizations, gestures, sign language, and AAC devices.
Additionally, Halloween can sometimes be an overwhelming or scary time of year for younger children. It can even be scary for older children who may be highly sensitive to changes in their environment, such as increased sounds, lights, and smells.
Simulating and practicing these activities before the actual event can help a child feel more grounded, prepared, comfortable, and safe during the actual Halloween night. These are activities I encourage in speech therapy for nonverbal kids.
As adults, we can create a safe and inviting space for all our youngsters during this Halloween season. We can do this through preparation, practice, and a sprinkle of creativity!
And if your child does get overwhelmed during this time of year, just remember – you can absolutely take a calming break or sit a particular activity out.
I also love the idea of having a child pick out their top 3-5 favorite pieces of candy to enjoy that night.
Remember, you can always freeze the rest of the candy for a special midnight snack – for all those well-deserving parents!
Have fun trick-or-treating this year!
A Few Final Thoughts From a Speech Therapist in NYC
If your child is having trouble communicating or following directions, whether at home or in the classroom, you don’t have to navigate it alone. We’re here to help!
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves bespoke, holistic, and compassionate speech therapy tailored to their unique strengths and needs.
Our experienced speech therapists will carefully evaluate your child’s speech and language skills, create a personalized treatment plan, and collaborate closely with your child’s medical and educational team to ensure the best possible outcomes for your family.
To schedule an in-person or virtual speech therapy assessment with Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC-SLP, please visit www.chattychild.com, email info@chattychild.com, or call 347-491-4451.
Warmly,
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC-SLP
Celebrate Halloween With Confidence Through Speech Therapy for Nonverbal Kids in NYC
Halloween can be both exciting and overwhelming for children, especially for those who communicate differently. At Chatty Child, our team provides speech therapy for nonverbal kids in NYC, helping children find their own way to connect, express, and enjoy the magic of the season. Whether your child uses gestures, AAC, or limited spoken words, our compassionate therapists meet them where they are, turning spooky uncertainties into opportunities for connection, creativity, and confidence.
Here’s how you can help your child shine this Halloween:
- Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call to share your child’s communication goals and learn how speech therapy can support them in social and sensory-rich events like trick-or-treating.
- Book a personalized evaluation to understand your child’s strengths, sensitivities, and preferred communication methods, building a therapy plan that fits their world.
- Begin individualized therapy sessions that weave together language play, sensory exploration, and AAC support to prepare your child for social interactions in fun, low-pressure ways.
- Watch your child flourish as they gain tools to express excitement, navigate sensory input, and confidently participate in festive activities.
Halloween doesn’t have to be scary. It can be a season of joyful expression and growth. With the right support, your child can feel empowered, included, and proud of their voice in whatever form it takes.
Empowering Kids to Flourish: Holistic Support at Chatty Child
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves the confidence and tools to express themselves with joy, curiosity, and connection. Our speech therapy approach goes beyond words. We help children strengthen the communication, cognitive, and emotional skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.
Our therapists collaborate closely with families to create individualized plans that foster growth, self-expression, and confidence in every setting.
- InterAct – A playful, story-driven program combining imagination, role-play, and collaboration to enhance language skills, confidence, and social connection.
- Occupational Therapy – Builds sensory awareness, fine motor coordination, and independence across everyday routines.
- Teletherapy – Convenient online speech and occupational therapy for families throughout New York State, bringing expert care right to your home.
- Tutoring – Personalized academic support in reading, writing, and problem-solving that inspires curiosity and builds learning confidence.
- Functional Nutrition – Tailored strategies to enhance focus, self-regulation, and emotional balance through key developmental stages.
- Consulting – Expert guidance for parents, educators, and professionals to maintain consistent support across environments.
- Group Programs – Interactive, play-based sessions that nurture communication, social-emotional growth, and teamwork through creativity.
By blending evidence-based methods with imaginative, compassionate care, our team empowers children to find their voice, build resilience, and grow with confidence.
Inside the World of Pediatric Speech Therapy: Meet the Therapist
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified and New York State–licensed speech-language pathologist with more than 20 years of experience providing pediatric speech therapy in NYC. Alongside her clinical expertise, Heather is a certified mindfulness and meditation instructor, a trauma-informed provider, and a proud neurodiverse, differently-abled individual. These are perspectives that deeply shape her compassionate and holistic approach to care.
Inspired by her own experiences as a differently-abled person, Heather founded Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC, an inclusive practice dedicated to empowering children through individualized and heart-centered support. She is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book that celebrates confidence, learning, and friendship, complete with a teaching guide for parents and educators.
Heather and her team provide services both in-person at their Tribeca, Manhattan clinic and virtually across New York State, helping children strengthen their communication skills, build confidence, and express themselves more freely every day.
