37: Surviving October 31st - Let Batman Wear Sweatpants

Costumes, candy, crowds, and a whole evening of doing things we spend the rest of the year telling our kids NOT to do. When you stop and think about it, trick-or-treating has some pretty confusing rules.

In this episode of the Raising Autistic Disciples podcast, Larah shares the story of Graham, a church fall festival, and three hours riding a lawnmower-powered "redneck train"—and what she understands about that night now that she didn't understand then. From uncomfortable costumes to the pressure to say "trick or treat," we're unpacking the hidden expectations that can make October 31st complicated for autistic kids and their families.

Whether your family enjoys trick-or-treating, attends a fall festival, or chooses something different, this conversation will help you think through meaningful participation, practical accommodations, and opportunities to love your neighbors. And yes, there's a superhero jacket hack that might save you fifty dollars.

In this episode:

* Why "obvious" social rules may need to be explicitly taught. * How to "practice the weird thing" with rehearsals, visuals, and predictable sequences. * Making costumes comfortable—and letting go of the full costume experience. * Supporting communication without turning free candy into a speech evaluation. * Planning for safety, candy expectations, shorter routes, and knowing when you're done. * Meaningful ways for autistic adults to participate, contribute, and serve. * Using neighborhood interactions to build relationships for the sake of the gospel. * Releasing comparison and recognizing your own family's wins.

A reminder for the whole holiday season: Support makes growth possible. We can help our autistic disciples practice meaningful skills while asking, "Is this necessary, or is it just how I pictured it?"

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with another family navigating the holidays.

Resources & ways to support RAD: 📚 Letters to Lindsey: Seeing Your Child's Autism Diagnosis Through a Gospel Lens [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FS87WY24] 📚 How to Advocate & Stay Christian [https://link.amazon/B00yWcdKK] 📺 Minno [https://gominno.com/?afmc=RAISINGAUTISTICDISCIPLES] 🛍️ Larah's Amazon Picks [https://www.amazon.com/shop/raisingautisticdisciples] 👕 RAD Merch [https://raising-autistic-disciples.printify.me/products] ✍️ Read RAD on Substack [https://substack.com/@raisingautisticdisciples]