A generic social story to help a child understand the changes that happen for Halloween. Introduces masks, costumes, jack-o-lanterns and treat or treat. Easy to personalize by adding a child's name and pictures of special interests to the pages.

1. The idea of HalloweenCostumes and Customs For___________

2. Halloween is a holiday. A holiday is a day when things are different than an ordinary day. Some changes happen on a holiday. The changes are fun for most people.

3. Halloween comes every year at the same time. It is always in the fall. It is always on October 31st.

4. Halloween uses orange and black colors.

5. People can wear costumes on Halloween. Costumes are clothes that are different from the ordinary clothes. Some costumes are silly. Some costumes are scary.

6. People can wear masks on Halloween. A mask sometimes covers a person’s face. The person is the same person. The person just looks different. + =

7. Children can go to houses and get candy. They knock on doors of homes and say “trick or treat”. The people give them candy. This is the only day of the year that people do “trick or treat.”

8. Some people make jack-o-lanterns. A jack-o-lantern is a pumpkin that has been changed. Someone cuts the pumpkin and takes out the slimy part. Then, they carve a face in the pumpkin. Then, they put a light inside the pumpkin and call it a “Jack-o-lantern.”

9. People feel differently about Halloween. Some people are excited curious nervous about this different day.

10. How do I feel? nervous curious excited anxious happy

11. I can try to be calm on Halloween. I can take a deep breath. I can relax my body.

12. I can handle the changes on Halloween. I can look at the decorations. I can wear a costume or mask. I can do “trick or treat” with my family. I can tell an adult if I feel nervous.

13. Halloween can be lots of fun!

14. The End A generic social story developed by Kim Singleton, MS, CCC-SLP www.KimSingleton.com Email: Kim@KimSingleton.com Questions or comments? Please contact me!