Kids Halloween Chicago

Sensory-Friendly Trick or Treating

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean

Patrick McLean serves as Administrative Director and Co-CEO of Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center, a comprehensive pediatric therapy practice he co-founded with his wife Rose in 2014. With over a decade of healthcare business leadership, Patrick has transformed their vision of coordinated, family-centered care into a thriving multidisciplinary clinic serving families throughout Chicago. After graduating from Western Illinois University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Business and Finance, Patrick developed expertise in healthcare operations, strategic planning, and organizational growth. His business acumen combined with a deep commitment to serving children with developmental needs has positioned Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center as a trusted resource for families navigating speech delays, sensory processing challenges, autism spectrum disorder, motor delays, and behavioral concerns. As Co-CEO, Patrick oversees essential operational pillars including marketing and community outreach, human resources and staff development, financial management and insurance coordination, and long-term business strategy. His leadership has enabled the clinic to expand from offering single therapy services to providing integrated physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, ABA therapy, and social work—all coordinated under one roof for maximum family convenience and clinical effectiveness. Patrick's management philosophy centers on creating systems that empower both staff and families. He has built a culture of collaboration where therapists from different disciplines communicate seamlessly about each child's progress, ensuring holistic treatment plans that address the whole child. His proudest moments come from witnessing families' journeys—from initial concerns through celebrated milestones and hard-won achievements. Beyond his professional role, Patrick brings personal perspective as a father of four children. He actively coaches his kids in various sports, enjoys creating barbecue masterpieces on his smoker, and values connection time with friends on the golf course. This balance between professional purpose and family life reinforces his understanding of the families Chicago Pediatric Therapy & Wellness Center serves every day.

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Halloween is almost here! Before the big day, please see below for the tips our Occupational Therapy Team compiled for sensory-friendly for Trick or Treating experience. Each of these tips will help you and the whole family have your best Halloween yet!

7 Sensory-Friendly Trick or Treating Tips

  1. Make Costume Comfortable: Wear tight clothing under costumes and cut off the tags. This can make costumes feel more comfortable, especially if the materials are novel textures.
  2. Wear Headphones: Wear noise-cancelling headphones if the crowds are big and overstimulating! You can even incorporate them into the costume by decorating them!
  3. Prepare for Startling Scenarios: To prepare for potentially startling or loud decorations, explore these decorations beforehand by watching videos on YouTube or going to a party store ahead of time.
  4. Plan Your Route: Plan your trick-or-treating route ahead of time! Have your child help create a map so that the path isn’t surprising.
  5. Prepack Your Favorite Treats: Bring along some candy that you know your child will like/can eat. This way, they still get to fill up their basket even if they have dietary restrictions, texture preferences, or allergies
  6. Play Some Music: Singing or playing a favorite song can help with transitions from house to house.
  7. Avoid busy Neighborhoods: To avoid crowds, try going out trick-or-treating either at the very beginning of the evening or at the tail end of your neighborhood’s allotted times. Trunk or Treat events are also a great option! 

Chicago Halloween

 

 

 

 

Questions and Concerns?

Please share with us your Trick or Treating experience! We love to hear how our families do with these exciting holidays. If you have any more questions or concerns about your little trick or treater, call one of our pediatric occupational therapists today to schedule an assessment and learn some great tools to strengthen the sensory skills in your child! We can be reached at 773-687-9241! You can also learn more about our ABA Therapy and Occupational Therapy services by click on the page links.

This year we are once again doing Trunk or Treat in our clinic garage! We had a blast last year, and we are excited to do it bigger and better this year. There are 2 ways to participate this time around! You can bring your children to trunk or treat, or you can set up your own car as a Trunk or Treating station. Please call if you would like to participate as a Trunk or Treating station. We hope to see you out there, Happy Halloween!
Sensory Friendly Trick or Treating

 

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