Halloween & ASD, any happy stories?

[WasUnderThirthy]

Just came back from our 4th Halloween...and boy is it never easy! My dd has ASD, and as much as I love to put on a costume and go get candies, she always throws a tantrum when we try to put her in a costume...I even had two for her to choose from, alas...

Is it like that for all ASD dc, and does it get better with age?

I dont think ihate is pointing out anyones failings Eagles. What she has pointed out is a fair comment that the way your post was phrased wasnt going to exactly make people want to rush up an hug you.......

Ideally the next post from you might have been a "sorry I am unwell hence why that sounded abrupt but.......and then put forth your opinion.

You are right it is once a year as is christmas and birthdays/parties, but there isnt one mum here that would force their child into doing something if it is found they genuinely hate it. But all children need encouragement to experience things before they decide to hate it iyswim or they would end up in their own bubble for want of a better word and we as parents must at least encourage them to try and avoid it.

And no it is certainly not worth arguing over as Triggles quite rightly said.....

Sorry to hear you are having an awful time of things. I hope it all improves for you soon.

DS sat in the living room shouting Go away at the trick or treaters as he didn't want to share the Haribo! He would not do trick or treating as does not dress up or talk to people but might go with Hecate's suggestion next year as a good mid-way point...if I can get him to share the Haribo that is though!

You are right coff33pot

I apologise to all those who were shocked by my rather blunt replies, you too especially ihatecbeebies

My son with Asperger's aged 9 displayed a typical mixture of emotions. He was set on being a very theatrical vampire with cloak and waistcoat and ruffles, and was delighted with his (bought) costume. He had very clear ideas of how he wanted to look. He insisted on running a homemade fortune telling session in the living room for all the older guests with a blue glass vase and torch as his crystal ball.

Then he slightly went to pieces when we went in a group of kids round the streets, as he didn't like being part of the crowd and thought it would be better to head off by himself which caused a fair bit of confusion..

But generally he had a lovely time, wasn't scared and loved dressing up and collecting sweets. He then went for a very long walk with his Dad to pick up my elder son from another party, joined in there and did a dance and walked home. So I think exercise and limited crowds were the key! His dad said he was charming on the walk to and from party.

It's ok eagle, you're obviously having a rubbish time just now

When I went to ASD group, I remember one of the mums there talking about how they had had to cut out all surprises from Christmas (Santa was completely ditched), and then it was lovely. Their little boy needed to know exactly what was happening and when and what presents he was getting too so there was no last minute tears.

I notice how Ds2 absolutely loved all the campness of Halloween and being the centre of attention in hiis costume (briefly) but he was not interested in decorating the house, carving pumpkins or making the food or inviting anyone (until the very last minute, when it ws too late to organise) or indeed organising his costume. He left all that to his twin sister.

Eagles sorry you are feeling so ill, I suppose the reason we want our kids to enjoy H is because it there is a fun side to it that is accessible and seizes their imagination (neighbours, sweets, dressing up) and we just want them to be part of things even if it is in a modified way.

Part of me is sad because there is no way we could have given a proper Party because Ds2 would have disrupted it, instead we had a low level gathering, but that was still better than nothing, and there are the other members of family to consider, who love H.