Kicking Off Spooky Season and SM Awareness Month
Halloween festivities typically involve talking to new people—saying “trick or treat!,” answering questions about costume selections, and thanking neighborhood candy-bearers. For some youth with Selective Mutism, these goals feel like a just-right next challenge, while for others, they feel downright frightening.
Planning Ahead
Thriving Minds clinicians recommend both planning/preparing for trick-or-treating in advance and having a plan B/C at the ready should a need arise. There are many considerations from the preparation side, for instance-- costume selection. Might a superhero costume conjure confidence? Would a costume with a face mask or make-up component bring a touch of anonymity that may make talking to neighbors a bit easier? Is there a fun catch phrase of the Halloween costume character that could be used to replace difficult social niceties words (e.g., Paw Patrol’s Skye’s “this pup’s gotta fly!” instead of “thanks” or “bye?”
Consider also who you might trick-or-treat with and where you decide to go. If you go as a group or with a preferred friend, could calling out “trick-or-treat” together disperse some extra unwanted attention? Could you trick-or-treat outside of your immediate neighborhood where there is less chance of being recognized? Should caregivers approach homes with their child or would it be easier for the child to demonstrate their bravery without feeling watched?
Practice Opportunity
If you’re looking for a dress rehearsal, we’d love to help you practice your bravery for Halloween. Join us for a special Trunk or Treat on October 29 from 6:00–7:00 PM at the Thriving Minds Livonia office located at 31478 Industrial Road, Livonia, MI. This event is designed to help children with selective mutism practice being brave in a fun, supportive setting! Kids are invited to wear their costumes, collect candy, play games, and engage in social interactions—all while building confidence and brave skills ahead of Halloween. Siblings are welcome at no additional cost!
The cost is $60 for the session, with the option to bill through insurance if applicable. Come in costume and ready to have fun! Register here: https://forms.gle/FMjKdjJcHp1uK6Kd9
Preparing for Plan B & SM Awareness Month
Be sure to have a plan B, if it turns out to be trickier than expected. For instance, if saying “trick or treat” is too challenging, perhaps this responsibility could be shared—with the caregiver starting “trick or….” and the child filling in “treat” while looking at the caregiver. If answering “who are you dressed up as?” is too spooky, perhaps a caregiver could rephrase the question to “Is your character from Pokémon or K Pop Demon Hunters?”
While Halloween serves as this month’s biggest excitement, we’d like to remind you that October is also Selective Mutism Awareness month! Halloween festivities could, therefore, include spreading awareness. Check out these Halloween mini cards that your child can share with neighbors or that you could leave on your own porch for trick-or-treaters: https://www.selectivemutism.org/resources/archive/online-library/sma-sab-halloween-mini-cards
This is a resource created by the Selective Mutism Association’s Student Advisory Board—a group of high school and college-aged students who have overcome SM and use their voices to build advocacy and awareness for others.
Wishing you a Halloween full of courage, connection, and a little magic!