FUN and EASY ADAPTIVE HALLOWEEN COSTUMES

Exceptional Parent, The, Oct, 1999 by Kerry Pianoforte

That time of year is here again when "ghosts and goblins" roam from house to house. But perhaps the scariest thing about it is the dreaded question: What does your child want to be? There are so many factors to consider, whether designing your own costume or purchasing one, that it can seem bewildering. Safety is the most important factor. If you are creating a costume for a child who uses a mobility aid you must consider whether the costume will be able to fit around a wheelchair and allow for comfort and movement. How much do the materials cost and how much time does it take to assemble? And, critical to any costume's success, will it appeal to your child?

With the help of some creative parents, EP has compiled a list with instructions for some basic children's costumes.

Halloween is always a favorite time for Mark Poalise, 8, of Ramsey, New Jersey. Each year with the help of his parents, Mark becomes a different, exotic character. "My husband is very creative and handy, so that helps," says Mark's mom, Linda. One year, Mark, who has hydrocephalus and uses a wheelchair, was a lion in a cage. Mark's father built the costume with a regular child's wagon that he converted into a cage. Mark wore a tiger costume and was wheeled around. The costume won rave reviews from fellow trick-or-treaters. Last year, Mark dressed as a spider. "This costume was so easy to do," says Linda. She bought Mark a spider costume and incorporated his wheelchair into the costume by stringing cotton on the back of the chair to create a spider web. This costume is both quick and easy to make and fun to wear. Depending on your ability and time, you can make the costume as simple or elaborate as you wish.

Stephanie Clifton, of Reno, Nevada, made an easy costume out of items found in her home for her 11-year-old daughter Chelise, who has Rett Syndrome. Chelise needed a simple costume which would keep her extremities warm while trick-or-treating. Since Chelise experiences a lot of involuntary movement, Stephanie explains, "any kind of headwear was out of the question." Stephanie, who is a nurse, came up with the idea of letting Chelise dress in her blue hospital scrubs and white lab coat. Chelise also wore her mother's stethoscope around her neck, her blood pressure cuff (uninflated) around her arm, and a pair of stretch gloves (to simulate exam gloves but which give added warmth). Stephanie used double stick poster tape to attach an empty prescription bottle and medicine bag to her daughter's wheelchair tray. "This outfit allowed easy access to her peg-tube during the school day," according to Stephanie. With most of the materials already on hand, it was also simple and inexpensive to create.

Nurse

By Stephanie Clifton

Materials:

[] hospital scrubs

[] stethoscope

[] empty prescription bottle

[] medical props

[] name tag

Use double stick tape to adhere prescription bottle and medicine bag to the wheelchair tray. Dress child in scrubs, cuff the pants if necessary. Stephanie adds, "No nurse is complete without a patient, so Chelise's teddy bear rode the push handle of her wheelchair with the aid of lots if koban wrap and a few band aids!"

Bettina Holquist of Burlingame, California has a knack for creating fun and imaginative costumes for her 12-year-old son Clay, who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Says Bettina, "At Halloween time, it became a challenge to find a costume that could fit and be seen under and through his trunk supports and straps. That's when we decided to make costumes that include his chair." Bettina feels that "the wheelchair augments the costume because it is so easy to decorate and accessorize, adding to the costume's theme." Bettina has used her creative energies to create many memorable costumes for her 12-year-old son. The children at Clay's school look forward to his costumes each year. They have included Alladin on his magic carpet, a punk rock drummer, Superman, and her latest creation, George of the Jungle. Mom explains, "Clay loves getting involved in choosing and designing his costume, but most important he loves getting `into' character and having fun on Halloween."

Tips for Creating Fun and Safe Costume

When choosing a child's Halloween costume, it is important to remember safety and style. In addition, parents should consider time constraints and creative ability. For some parents a few simple adaptations to a store bought costume are all that their hectic schedules will allow. Other parents opt to create elaborate constructions that. may take weeks to assemble. Here are some things to remember:

* Be sure that whatever you attach to the wheelchair can be easily and swiftly removed.

* Be sure the costume does not impede mobility and get in the way of the wheels.

* If the child uses a walker, make sure that the costume is light enough for the child to move in.

* Be sure that the costume you design can fit through a standard door.

* Always use nontoxic paints.

* Do not attach sharp objects or things that children could take off and put in their mouths.