Mayo autism-friendly Halloween event a big success

Creating an autism–friendly Halloween event can be challenging but when a community comes together, it can happen.

Castlebar Autism friendly Town committee, Mayo Autism Camp and the Horror in the Barracks committee gave that experience to 150 children this Halloween. Families got the opportunity to celebrate the spooky season in a safe and sensory friendly environment.

Ger Deere from Castlebar Autism Friendly Town highlighted this as a unique event not replicated anywhere in the country. “We are striving to make the town more autism-friendly. Events like this are so important to autistic children and their families. It offers them an equal opportunity to enjoy activities during the holiday time.”

Colette Heaney from Mayo Autism Camp pointed out that for many children “the sensory overload and unfamiliarity of the holiday can present many challenges. The Halloween sensory hunt at the Horror in the Barracks gave the children and their families a unique opportunity to enjoy a Halloween experience and have some fun.”

John Paige, chairman of Castlebar Autism Friendly Town committee, thanked the committee involved in the Horror in the Barracks for the wonderful work they had done in staging such an event in the county. He also pointed out that the CAFT committee are looking forward to making the town, businesses, and events more inclusive and accessible to all in the future.

Elisha Sweeney of Mayo Autism Camp welcomed this statement from John. She also thanked all the wonderful volunteers who helped out in preparing for the event and also on the day.