Blue pumpkins: A new heartwarming Halloween symbol.
You might see kids with blue pumpkin candy buckets trick or treating this year. They are sending a message to raise awareness of Autism and Sensory Processing Disorders. The buckets say,
"I have autism or a sensory processing disorder."
Why do we need to know? It is to let you know that some children's responses while trick or treating may be unexpected and different from typical social customs due to their disabilities.
How different?
💙Children with autism may not say "trick or treat" or "thank you". They are not being rude. They may be non-verbal or overwhelmed.
💙Children with autism and sensory disorders may be effected differently by lights, noise, and decorations, so they may react in an unusual way.
💙These children may be sensitive to the materials in costumes and may not wear one.
💙They may have dietary restrictions and may decline or turn away from the treat you are offering.
If you want to signal that your home is a safe place for a child with autism and/or a sensory processing disorder, put a blue pumpkin or a picture of a blue pumpkin on your porch or outside your door.
Are you someone who is interested in making your house more inclusive?
A teal colored pumpkin means food allergy. If you display it, you offer non-food trinkets and treats that all safe for all. (Research says that 1 in 13 children live with food allergies.)
Children carrying purple pumpkins are telling you they have epilepsy. It is an awareness builder. Other than, perhaps, asking about it, there is no other action to be taken.
Note: Some parents who have children with special needs are against using these symbols. They do not want their kids disclosing their medical conditions. Understandable.
Using these buckets and colors at Halloween is a personal choice.
For more tips on supporting you and your kids on Halloween, watch the reels I have posted on Instagram.
🎃 How to deal with scary decorations and costumes
🎃 How do deal with all that candy
🎃 Question: Why do we teach kids to be afraid of normal-looking strangers and then tell them that monsters aren't scary?
Follow me on Instagram for more info on raising kids.
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