When Halloween Feels Overwhelming: Exploring Speech Therapy for Sensory Overload in NYC
Many children enjoy the Halloween season – anxiously awaiting the time of year when they can test their creative flair, dress in costume, and collect their favorite candy with unrestrained fever!
But for some children, the Halloween season can be a very overwhelming and scary experience!
Some highly sensitive children can experience sensory overload during all these spooky Halloween activities and parties that are jam-packed throughout the month of October. This is where speech therapy for sensory overload in NYC can offer valuable support.
It is important to be mindful and aware that during Halloween, many neurodivergent children may be sensitive to loud noises, bright lights, various smells, textures, and tastes.
Understanding Sensory Overload in Neurodivergent Kids During Halloween
It’s crucial to be mindful of these differences during Halloween when caring for a neurodivergent child.
- Children with sensory processing differences can be cautious of new sights and experiences within their city during this time of year.
- Young children may also be sensitive to the changing scenery and spooky decorations that adorn each neighborhood block.
- Children with specific dietary needs may feel isolated when they cannot eat a particular treat during a party or while trick-or-treating with their friends.
- Kids with sensory sensitivities may not enjoy wearing a costume.
As parents, caregivers, teachers, speech therapists, and caring community members, we can all help to make Halloween a creative and joyful time for neurodivergent children. We can do this by being mindful and attentive to each of their individual needs on Halloween night.
Helping Highly Sensitive Kids Navigate Halloween Without Sensory Overload
Here are some helpful tips and tricks to help your highly sensitive child enjoy some popular Halloween activities this autumn season.
- Go for a walk around your neighborhood with your child.
On your walk, point out the different and changing scenery around the city.
You can explain that these decorations will come and go each year during this time of year. This builds a sense of trust and familiarity with the changing sights and sounds around New York City.
I invite you to play the “I spy” game. You can practice “spying” a jack-o’-lantern on a step, a hanging ghost in a tree, or a bat hanging in your local grocery store.
You can even bring a flashlight along for your spying adventure!
- For children with specific dietary needs or who may be sensitive to particular tastes, smells, textures, or temperatures, it is important to make appropriate accommodations for them. This is so they can fully participate in each Halloween festivity.
It can be helpful to bring a desirable snack for your child (as an alternative treat) for them to enjoy with their friends during a Halloween party or while trick-or-treating.
- Children with sensory sensitivities and sensory processing differences may choose to opt out of wearing a costume – and that is OK!
As a parent of a highly sensitive child, you may be faced with the prospect of “forcing your child to wear a Halloween costume”, all while they mope, moan, and maybe scream about this possibility!
I invite you to consider that there might be an easier path …
Perhaps you could take that pressure off your highly sensitive child and just allow them to gracefully decline wearing a costume.
Celebrating Halloween in a Way That Feels Right
Another alternative option could be to create an imaginative costume that “feels wearable to them”.
Maybe – it’s just a headband, a pair of gloves they love, or a special hat that brings them joy!
I invite you to bring flexibility, joy, and creativity when designing a costume with your highly sensitive little one and truly embrace and enjoy this Halloween season!
Have a Happy Halloween!
(and if you want to send me pictures of your little ones all dressed up on Halloween – my inbox is ready!)
Compassionate NYC Speech Therapy Tailored to Your Child
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves individualized, compassionate support. Our holistic and bespoke approach ensures your child receives speech therapy in NYC that truly honors their unique strengths, challenges, and developmental needs.
Our licensed speech therapists will carefully evaluate your child’s speech and language abilities and create a personalized treatment plan that targets areas of concern. We also collaborate closely with your child’s medical team to ensure seamless, integrated care and the strongest therapeutic outcomes for both your child and your family.
To schedule an in-person or virtual speech therapy evaluation 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
Supportive Speech Therapy for Sensory Overload in NYC
Halloween can come with bright lights, loud sounds, and unpredictable surprises, fun for some children, but deeply overstimulating for others. At Chatty Child, we offer speech therapy for sensory overload in NYC, helping highly sensitive and neurodivergent children feel more grounded, regulated, and confident during this busy season. Whether your child becomes overwhelmed by costumes, textures, noises, or social expectations, our therapists work gently and creatively to help them navigate Halloween in ways that feel safe and empowering.
Here’s how you can support your child this Halloween:
- Schedule a complimentary 15-minute call to discuss your child’s sensory and communication needs and learn how speech therapy can help them feel more comfortable during sensory-heavy events.
- Book a personalized evaluation to understand your child’s triggers, strengths, and preferred modes of communication so we can create a therapy plan that supports both regulation and self-expression.
- Begin individualized sessions that integrate sensory-aware strategies, communication tools, and playful exploration to prepare your child for Halloween in a low-pressure, supportive environment.
- Watch your child build confidence as they gain skills to understand their sensory experiences, communicate their needs, and enjoy festive moments at their own pace.
Halloween doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right support, your child can approach the season with more comfort, calm, and joy.
Playful Pathways to Communication and Confidence
At Chatty Child, we believe every child deserves the confidence and skills to express themselves with joy and curiosity. Our speech therapy philosophy extends far beyond spoken words. We support the communication, cognitive, and emotional foundations children need to thrive at home, in school, and in their wider communities.
We partner closely with families to create individualized plans that nurture growth, self-expression, and confidence across all settings.
- InterAct – A playful, story-rich program using imagination, role-play, and collaboration to boost language skills, confidence, and social connection.
- Occupational Therapy – Strengthens sensory processing, fine motor coordination, and independence in everyday routines.
- Teletherapy – Accessible online speech and OT services across New York State, offering expert support right at home.
- Tutoring – Personalized help in reading, writing, and problem-solving to inspire curiosity and build academic confidence.
- Functional Nutrition – Customized guidance to support focus, regulation, and emotional balance through key developmental stages.
- Consulting – Professional guidance for parents, educators, and caregivers to create consistent support across environments.
- Group Programs – Engaging, play-based sessions that foster communication, social-emotional development, and teamwork.
By weaving evidence-based practices with creativity and compassion, our team helps children find their voice, build resilience, and grow with confidence.
Meet the Speech Therapist Behind Chatty Child in NYC
Heather Lynn Boerner, MA CCC-SLP, is a nationally certified and New York State–licensed speech-language pathologist with over 20 years of experience supporting children through pediatric speech therapy in NYC. In addition to her clinical background, Heather is a certified mindfulness and meditation instructor, a trauma-informed practitioner, and a proudly neurodiverse, differently-abled individual. These are perspectives that deeply inform her warm, holistic approach to care.
Motivated by her own lived experiences, Heather founded Chatty Child Speech, Occupational & Physical Therapy, PLLC to create an inclusive, empowering space where every child receives personalized, heart-centered support. She is also the author of Carrie the Colorful Chameleon, a children’s book that celebrates confidence, curiosity, and connection, complete with a teaching guide for families and educators.
Heather and her team offer services both in-person at their Tribeca, Manhattan clinic and virtually throughout New York State, helping children grow their communication skills, build self-confidence, and express themselves more fully each day.
