Supporting All Children Through the Spookiest Time of Year

Halloween is one of those celebrations that seems to grow brighter and louder every year. Pumpkins glowing in windows, fireworks bursting in the sky, doorbells ringing with cheerful trick-or-treaters — it’s a time filled with excitement, colour, and imagination.

But it can also be a lot.

For some children — especially those with autism or sensory differences — Halloween can feel unpredictable, noisy, and overwhelming. The decorations change how familiar places look. The costumes that were meant to be fun might feel itchy or tight. The doorbell rings again and again. The sky lights up with fireworks. And the normal rhythm of their day — the one that helps them feel safe — disappears for a while.

Over the past week, we’ve been exploring small ways to make this season more inclusive and comfortable for every child.

But really, at the heart of it, all those ideas come back to one thing: understanding.

It’s about remembering that what feels exciting to one child might feel frightening to another — and that’s okay.

When we think of Halloween, we often picture joy — little faces painted as pumpkins or witches, hands clutching buckets of sweets. But behind the scenes, many families are quietly doing the work of preparation. They’re talking through what might happen when someone knocks on the door. They’re helping their child practice saying “trick or treat.” They’re finding a costume that doesn’t scratch or squeeze or overwhelm.

For these families, Halloween isn’t just a night of fun — it’s a balancing act. They’re trying to protect the magic while gently managing the mayhem.

And yet, there’s something so beautiful in that. Because when we strip away the expectations — the pressure to do Halloween a certain way — we find space to meet children exactly where they are.

Maybe that means watching fireworks through the window instead of standing outside. Maybe it’s handing out sweets instead of going door to door. Maybe it’s wearing a soft pair of pyjamas instead of a costume.

Whatever it looks like, it’s still their Halloween.

It feels especially meaningful, as an Irish company, to think about how this all began. Halloween wasn’t always about decorations or sweets — it began right here in Ireland, thousands of years ago, as the Celtic festival of Samhain.

It marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, when the veil between the worlds was said to be thin. Families gathered around bonfires, shared food, and told stories about the ancestors who came before them.

At its heart, Samhain was never about fear — it was about connection. About change, reflection, and care for the community.

And maybe that’s what we’re being called to remember now.

Amidst the noise and excitement, we can still hold onto that spirit of connection — by creating moments of calm, kindness, and inclusion for the children who need it most.

So if your Halloween looks a little different this year, that’s okay.

If your child doesn’t want to dress up, or you skip the fireworks, or the sweets are counted and sorted one by one — you haven’t missed out on anything.

You’re simply celebrating in the way that feels right for your family.

Halloween isn’t about how it looks from the outside — it’s about how it feels from the inside.

Every family’s experience is unique, and sometimes small challenges feel bigger during busy times like Halloween.

If you’d like personalised strategies or guidance to help your child navigate sensory sensitivities, routines, or big transitions, The Behaviour Hive is here to help.

We offer practical, evidence-based supports tailored to your child and family — helping you create calm, confidence, and connection all year round.