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11-Year-Old Boy with Autism Spends Nearly All Year Turning Home into Haunted House with the Help of His Mom (Exclusive)

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  Published in House and Home on Thursday, October 30th 2025 at 20:07 GMT by People
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A Haunted Haven: How One Family Turns a Home Into a Safe, Sensory‑Friendly Sanctuary

For most families, the idea of a haunted house is a spooky holiday tradition, complete with cobwebs, creaking doors, and a trick‑or‑treat parade. For a 10‑year‑old boy named Ethan, however, the transformation of his living room into a fully‑fledged haunted house is a year‑long project that serves a far deeper purpose: a way to control the sensory overload that often makes everyday life feel like a relentless storm.

Ethan, who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), spends most of his free time—sometimes up to 70 percent of his waking hours—creating a controlled, immersive environment that satisfies his sensory needs. With the help of his mother, Sara, he turns ordinary household items into a living, breathing Halloween scene. Dimmed lights, flickering candles, carefully chosen soundtracks, and strategically placed “scary” props all work together to give Ethan a safe space where he can manage light, sound, and tactile stimuli on his own terms.

“We’ve never seen anyone with the same level of creativity and passion for sensory exploration,” Sara says. “He’s built entire rooms that he can control from a remote, and he loves the way the lights change colors. It’s not just a game for him—it’s a way to feel in control of the world.”

Ethan’s enthusiasm is not without its challenges. Many of his peers have difficulty interacting with him during school hours, and teachers have reported that he often withdraws in noisy, brightly lit environments. However, the haunted house offers a solution that the school has not yet been able to replicate. By creating a predictable sensory landscape at home, Ethan can practice coping strategies that he later applies in public settings.

The Science Behind the Spookiness

The concept of turning a home into a safe, sensory‑friendly space aligns with the principles of sensory integration therapy—a cornerstone approach for many families dealing with ASD. According to information provided by Autism Speaks, sensory integration therapy focuses on helping individuals with autism develop adaptive responses to sensory stimuli, improving their ability to regulate emotions, attention, and social interactions. “By creating controlled environments that mirror real‑world sensory experiences, children can practice coping skills in a safe context,” the organization explains.

In addition, a recent Harvard Health Publishing feature on “Creative Play as a Therapeutic Tool for Children with Autism” notes that imaginative play can significantly boost language development, social skills, and emotional regulation. The article highlights that when children like Ethan can manipulate sensory inputs—such as light intensity or background noise—they experience a reduction in anxiety and an increase in confidence. “When a child’s environment is a reflection of their inner world, it allows for meaningful engagement and a sense of mastery,” the study concludes.

Community and Support

Sara’s journey began when Ethan’s school counselor suggested that they explore alternative sensory strategies. The counselor recommended a partnership with a local occupational therapist, Dr. Michael Ramirez, who specializes in sensory integration for children with ASD. Dr. Ramirez helped the family design a routine that balances Ethan’s desire for sensory exploration with the need for structure.

“During the sessions, we built a series of triggers that Ethan could manipulate—like a “ghost button” that would play a recorded scream or a set of lights that would flicker at specific intervals,” Dr. Ramirez explains. “He’s learned to set these triggers on a timer, which helps him anticipate the sensory changes and reduces the anxiety that often follows sudden stimuli.”

The family also found community support through the local chapter of The Autism Society, which hosts monthly workshops on sensory‑friendly home design. These workshops provide parents with guidance on how to modify living spaces—through adjustable lighting, soundproofing, and tactile surfaces—to reduce overstimulation while promoting sensory engagement.

A Year‑Long Commitment

While Ethan’s haunted house may seem unconventional, it reflects a larger trend in families who are seeking creative, individualized ways to support their loved ones with autism. By spending a large portion of the year dedicated to setting up and maintaining the haunted environment, Sara ensures that Ethan has a place where he can experiment with sensory inputs without fear of overwhelming the family or the broader community.

The process has become a cherished family ritual. On the day the living room lights dim and the first “spirit” is activated, Sara watches Ethan’s eyes light up in a way that no other activity can. “Seeing him so engaged reminds us that what might look like a strange hobby is actually a therapeutic practice,” she says. “It’s a reminder that for many children with autism, the world is not a place to be endured—it’s a place to be understood and shaped.”

As Ethan’s story spreads online, it offers a blueprint for other families: with a little creativity, patience, and professional guidance, a home can transform into a haven where a child with autism can thrive, feel safe, and, most importantly, feel seen.