Halloween comes with lots of lights, sounds, and colours.

For some children it can be a sensory overload.

Jen Whalen, Mental Health Promotions coordinator with the Northern Health Region, shares tips here provided by an organization called Strongest Families.

“Some tips may be going earlier in the evening when crowds are less, maybe your child would be more comfortable wearing noise cancelling headphones, if you come up to a house and it just seems like too much, feel free to skip that house. Make sure to build in some comforts as well. Have a safe spot and that can be taking a break in your car or bring things that make your child more comfortable like a blanket or a stuffie.”

Strongest Families is a year-round support program for parents and children that can be accessed by referral through the NHR Mental Wellness and Recovery Program.

They help with emotional struggles in the family, such as child and youth anxiety, provide support for neuro-diverse children and offer anxiety and depression support for adults.

For more on the program, go to their website at strongestfamilies.com.