Q: I am an adult in the IDD community. I still look forward to dressing up in costume and trick or treating every year. Sometimes other people don't understand and they say mean things. How can I have a good time trick or treating and stay safe?
A: There's no rule about who can or can't trick or treat and no age limit, but some people may not understand why a grown up would still want to participate. That doesn't mean you can't, but there are a few tips to make trick or treating a better experience. One thing you can do before you even head out is to let your neighbors know ahead of time that you will be trick or treating. You can deliver notes and even a festive bag of candy to sweeten the deal. Introduce yourself and explain why you still love to trick or treat. Also, make sure you go with a responsible adult, so that they can intervene and explain your situation if anyone questions you. Make sure you stay close. Be sure to maintain a respectable distance between yourself and any children you don't know. For your costume, it's probably a good idea to stick with something that isn't too scary or disturbing. Also avoid full face masks. Let people see your smile and your eyes. Just be safe, friendly and polite so that everyone can have a good time.
If you're too nervous to go out into your neighborhood, there are often agencies that have Trunk or Treat events and Halloween parties where you can mingle with other folks in the IDD community. If you want to stay in, wear a costume to hand out candy is always a fun option.
Q: Some of the spookier and scarier elements of Halloween, like witches and vampires, make me uncomfortable. How can I still enjoy the holiday?
A: Make sure that you let the people in your life know that you don't care for scary monsters so that they can give you support. Focus on festive decorations with pumpkins and consider wearing a character costume from your favorite Disney movie. Superheroes are a good option, too. Put on your favorite silly Halloween songs, like Monster Mash and Purple People Eater and make sure you have some yummy treats on hand. Even if you can't completely avoid the scary stuff, the more you communicate with family, staff and friends, the more likely that they will honor your preferences and make it a fun holiday experience.
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