Halloween is such an exciting time for all kids and adults and no one should feel left out of the fun; And, for Halloweeners with physical disabilities finding a costume does not have to be a struggle.
Costumes can be adapted for any child’s or adult’s disability. The simple rule for finding or making costumes for disabled trick or treaters (and party goers) is to look for something that blends comfort, functionality and most importantly fun!
For a person confined to a wheelchair, almost any costume can be turned into a wheelchair friendly costume. And, costumes don’t have to be expensive to be fun! Adults and kids can opt to be anything from vampires to royalty. For your little princesses, a wheelchair is a magic coach or a magic carpet. For those sporty dudes, a wheelchair can be a sports car or a train. The sky is rally the limit. Wheelchair can be a great accessory to a conductor’s costume or even an astronaut’s costume. For adult costumes, a wheelchair makes a great throne or castle tower. For those pushing up daisies, it can be a flower pot. And, those feeling a bit corny, it can be a popcorn box.
For those trick or treaters not confined to wheelchairs, who need assistance, wagons or strollers can be decorated andmade a central part of their own costume or an accessory. A clever cowboy can have his wagon covered or an Eskimo can use his sled. You can dress your child as an egg or bunny with his stroller or wagon as his basket.
For children with visual impairments, costumes or accessories that block their eyes don’t necessarily have to be avoided. Our special trick or treaters can be a pirates or a English gentlemen. Replace masks with face paint and exchange hoods with caps, and hats. For those kids with service dogs, dress their dog as well. Your child could be a circus performer and their dog can be their very well trained lion.
For those parents who want help in designing or making costumes, there are several resources in bookstores and on the web. Some sites, such as Family Education, provide costume making instructions. Also, organizations, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) and The Bridge School, offer tips and examples of costume ideas. Charities, like Costumes for Kids, collects used costumes and offers them to physically disabled kids.
Halloween is mean to be fun for everyone. And, there are so many ideas and options for making the night a very special one.
For more ideas and information, check out the following websites:
http://costumes.familyeducatio n.com/
http://www.mda.org/publication s/quest/q55hallo.html
http://www.costumesforkids.net /
http://disabilities.suite101.c om/article.cfm/homemade_costum e_ideas_for_wheelchair_bound_k ids
http://specialchildren.about.c om/
