Supporting Nonverbal or Selectively Speaking Kids on Halloween: Tips From An Experienced NYC Speech Therapist
There are many things we can do as parents, caregivers, therapists and community members to support a non verbal 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.
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 that 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 which 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 – to open it – when your child comes knocking!
This creates 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.
These trick-or-treat activities accept and embrace alternative forms of communication such as the use of vocalizations, gestures, sign language, and AAC devices.
Halloween can sometimes be an overwhelming or scary time of year for younger children and even older children that 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.
As adults – we can create a safe and inviting space – for all our youngsters during this Halloween season 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 and always 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!
If your child is struggling to communicate or to follow directions at home or in school – we can help!
Are you ready to experience the difference of bespoke, holistic, compassionate, personalized care at Chatty Child?
Chatty Child’s speech therapists can assess your child’s speech and language skills treatment plan to address any areas of concern; while working seamlessly with your child’s medical team to achieve the best therapeutic outcomes for your child and family.
To book an in-person or online speech therapy assessment and treatment sessions with Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP, please visit our website at: www.chattychild.com; email: info@chattychild.com; or call: 347 491 4451
Sincerely,
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP
Meet the Author: A Pediatric Speech Therapist in NYC
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC/SLP, is a nationally certified and New York State licensed speech-language pathologist with over two decades of experience providing pediatric speech therapy in NYC. In addition to her clinical background, Heather is a certified mindfulness and meditation teacher, a trauma-informed provider, and a proud neurodiverse and differently-abled individual. Her personal and professional experiences deeply inform her approach to care.
Heather’s own journey as a differently-abled person led her to establish Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC, an inclusive practice dedicated to empowering children through individualized, compassionate support. She is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book that promotes confidence, learning, and friendship. The story includes a teaching guide designed for use by parents and educators alike.
Heather and her team offer services both in-person at their Tribeca, Manhattan clinic and virtually throughout New York State, helping children grow in confidence, communication, and self-expression.
