Random thoughts on autism: I've found a lot of variation on how the folks I know percieve things like cartoons and costumes. They have their unique, unusual way of identifying "people" (ie humans ) and it's pretty freaky for them to see someone dressed in a costume. Maybe Jonah didn't realize the picture was of a person dressed up - he may have assumed it was a cartoon. It would more resemble a cartoon than a kid to him. KWIM? Then it would be very confusing to see the costume IRL.
Sending serious empathy your way - I know from working with parents how important it is for you to give your boy all those typical experiences and make it special to him. It feels so emotional and important! I understand the stress. Poor you.
I've helped some folks figure out their own costumes before (adults w/autism) and we've had great fun adapting their regular clothes into something fabulous. Like attaching a tail to their most comfy pair of sweats, taping spots on their soft t-shirt, attaching ears to the baseball cap they already like. We've gotten some spectacular results and they were WAY more comfy!
It's so important to feel comfortable in your skin on a night when the world is kind of out of whack, from your perspective.
I'm not diagnosed w/autism but I'm pretty sensitive to sensory stuff. I find standard halloween costumes very uncomfortable -usually too hot or too cold, don't breath, scratchy fabrics, scratchy lining, sweaty hoods. All that. So I empathize with my folks who need to improvise instead.
Often bumbling mother to baby girl "Sprog"
Born November, 2009