Halloween can be full of excitement, surprises, and sometimes a few spooky nerves, especially for neurodiverse kids navigating the sounds, textures, and social moments of trick-or-treating. This year’s Confidence Camp: Halloween Edition offered a fun and therapeutic way to prepare children ages 3–10 for the big night, helping them feel more confident, calm, and connected.

Over the course of an hour, a multidisciplinary team of mental health, occupational therapy, and speech therapy professionals guided kids through a series of playful, skill-building activities, all wrapped in Halloween magic.

The session began with a “Halloween Feelings Check-In,” where kids chose from a pumpkin face that matched how they felt.  Some kids reported they were silly, excited, or maybe a little nervous. Together, they learned that all feelings are okay and that Halloween can be both fun and a little scary sometimes.

Next, the Speech Therapy team helped children practice communication skills for trick-or-treating. Whether through verbal words, AAC (alternative and augmentive communication) buttons, or sign language, every child found their own way to say “Happy Halloween”, “Trick or treat!” and “Thank you!” A parent shared afterward, “My child said that they learned different ways to get trick or treats, and they seemed to feel more excited and less stressed about the events.”

In the Candy Dish Challenge, occupational therapists turned a favorite Halloween moment into a sensory adventure.  Kids reached into a bag filled with unknown things to pick out treats, practicing fine motor skills and self-control along the way.

The group then took on the “Spooky Decorations Walk,” exploring different levels of Halloween spookiness while learning coping strategies like deep breathing, grounding through the five senses, and checking in with a trusted adult when things felt “too spooky.”

The session ended in a joyful Halloween Parade, where children showed off costumes, practiced their new skills by trick-or-treating around the Encompass office, and reflected on one thing they felt confident doing this Halloween.

Confidence Camp: Halloween Edition reminded families that every child can shine on Halloween when they have the tools to communicate, self-regulate, and set boundaries. Most importantly, it created space for kids to celebrate exactly who they are.