This was the first time Gateway Behaviour Services and the Pacific Autism Family Network have held this sensory-friendly trick or treat event.

By Tommy Osborne

Trick or Treat!

Sensory-friendly trick or treat event creates accessible space for all to enjoy Halloween

Oct 31, 2025 | 4:47 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – A sensory-friendly trick or treat event was held at the Gateway Behavioural Service building to give people of all ages a chance to get the full Halloween experience, who might otherwise not be able to.

“They can use it as a practice run for Halloween, or this might be their trick or treat event for the day. They get to come to all these doors throughout our centre, They get to knock, trick or treat, get a candy, go through there, and experience the Halloween fun,” said Gateway Behaviour Services Office Manager Katelyn Aime.

This event was run in partnership with the Pacific Autism Family Network, and it is the first year it has run. Aime says the motivation to put this all together was to ensure that everyone who wants to go trick or treating is able to.

“Being indoors allows us to control a lot of variables, so things like the temperature, you’re not dealing with the wind and the weather in the rain when we’re in here. The light, we’re going to have low light, we’re going to have quiet music, not lots of sound, no flashing lights, all of that kind of stuff that you might not be able to control. There’s not going to be things jumping out at them here. They don’t have to go as far door to door. So it’s also more accessible for people,” Aime said.

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Beyond controlling these variables, Aime adds an event like this is also beneficial, as everyone involved is prepared to accommodate people of all accessibility levels.

“Our expectations here for kids are very different than it might be door to door. We know that kids are going to be coming in with all different needs and levels of communication and styles of communication. We’re able to just be very supportive and inclusive of that, so they don’t need to be able to say trick or treat to get a candy here. They can give us a paper that says trick or treat on it, or just come to the door and knock on the door and get their candy and we’re going to be able to meet the kids where they’re at,” she said.

The event went from 2:30-4:00 p.m., and in its first year it saw a lot of smiling faces and plenty of trick or treaters enjoy the day.

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