Trick-or-treating triggers so many behaviors in children with special needs. It can also cause some pretty extreme anxiety in parents. At least it does in me anyways.

The act of trick-or-treating includes a very specific sequence of events. There is an incredible amount of sensory stimuli involved. Trick-or-treating requires social skills and coordination. It's a wonder any special needs child participates successfully.

Our children have definitely had their fair share of struggles over the years. When they were determined to go trick-or-treating this year, I knew I would need to create materials and provide resources that will help them be successful.

The first on my list was a trick-or-treating social story. I'm sharing it with you as subscribers only free printable today.

Trick-or-Treating Social Story

This social story has been a joint project. I teamed up with the Dyan from And Next Comes L to ensure that this was the very best trick-or-treating social story available.

It includes an incredible amount of detail with pictures to help special needs children with anything and everything they may struggle with.

About the Trick-or-Treating Social Story

The social story can be used with children who have autism, ADHD, anxiety, PTSD, Reactive Attachment Disorder, other trauma disorders and more.

It addresses topics such as:

Costumes
Weather
Social Etiquette
Safety
All Things Scary

This social story can be read before trick-or-treating with your special needs child. In our home, we read it on a daily basis for at least a week leading up to the big event.

The social story can also come with you if necessary, to be used as a visual reminder of what to expect while trick-or-treating.

For those with PTSD and trauma issues, it can be used as a resource when your child is triggered, to help bring them back to the present.

At times children may want to use the social story after trick-or-treating to help them remember the joy they felt, and/or to help them communicate what happened with others.

No matter how your family chooses to use it, it's an incredible Halloween resource for all families who have children with special needs.

Source: This resource is a Subscriber's Only Freebie. For your free copy, follow the directions at the bottom of this post.

This special printable is being offered in conjunction with the release of our first book. Holidays and PTSD: A Parent's Guide to Survival.

Book: Holidays and PTSD: A Parent's Survival Guide

Holidays and PTSD: A Parent's Guide to Survival

Our book is for all parents raising children with PTSD, anxiety and other trauma related issues. It is an amazing resource with tips and strategies to help you survive all of the day-to-day chaos and the really hard stuff.

The book also includes personal stories about experiences our family has had as we help our sweet Princess through her challenges.

We hope you will consider purchasing our book, and that you take advantage of the wonderful free printable offered here.

For those who are looking for more holiday themed resources for children with special needs and disabilities, be sure to subscribe to our free newsletter by clicking the link below.

Directions on How to Obtain Subscriber Only Freebies

1. Click on the Subscriber's link at the bottom of this post.

2. Subscribe to our free newsletter.

3. Open the thank you message you receive in your e-mail, after subscribing. (Be sure to check your spam folder, as sometimes it ends up there.)

4. Click the confirmation link in the thank you message.

5. Once the confirmation is complete, you will receive another e-mail message with the Subscriber Only Freebies.

6. Click on the link.

7. Select the Minimalism, Montessori, or Mental Health Printables Library.

8. Find the printable pack you are looking for listed in alphabetical order, click on it, and voila!

We hope you enjoy your free printable.

Note: If you are already a newsletter subscriber, open your most recent newsletter. At the bottom you will find a link to the Free Printables Library.

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