‘Trick or Treat’ Etiquette and ASD

Why you may be seeing blue buckets on Halloween

How does one manage kids with sensory issues at Halloween? The best way to prepare a child who is on the spectrum (ASD) for Halloween is to first ask them if they want to do it. They may not want to ‘trick or treat’ but they may want to still be involved in having a costume and being there to receive ‘trick or treaters’ as opposed to door knocking. Make sure you purchase a costume ahead of time to ensure that they get used to the feeling of the fabric and walking in the costume. Also consider buy a costume with a mask so if they decide they don’t want to get into costume they may still decide to wear a mask. If they decide they do want to ‘trick or treat’ then there are a couple of things you can do to help ensure they are properly supported. Social stories are a great way to begin and you can either write your own or at least support the idea of ‘trick or treat’ in reality by planning a route on paper together and then pacing it out before the big night. - Tips from BrisbaneKids.com.au 
Blue jack-o'-lantern treat buckets like this one sold at Walmart may be more in evidence this Halloween as a signal from trick-or-treaters that they are non-verbal or suffer from autism.

What purportedly started as a Facebook post to friends from a mom anxious that her 21-year-old autistic son didn’t get turned away at the door while trick-or-treating is blossoming into a national phenomenon.

Last October, Alicia Plumer posted a photo of a blue jack-o'-lantern treat bucket and the note: “If you see someone who appears to be an adult dressed up to trick or treat this year carrying this blue bucket, he’s our son! His name is BJ & he is autistic. While he has the body of a 21-year-old, he loves Halloween. Please help us keep his spirit alive & happy. ... Spread awareness!”

Her message took the Internet by storm. It has become so widespread that Newsweek addressed the phenomenon in an article this month: “Halloween Blue Bucket Autism Link Explained,” and told of the Louisiana mom’s involvement.

The blue trick-or-treat buckets are not an official symbol of autism and have not been endorsed by national autism organizations, but blue jack-o'-lanterns and pails are sold at Walmart, Target and Spirit Halloween stores and are available on Amazon.com. Amy Munera, president of Autism Society San Diego, thinks word has spread within the autism community. “But I’m not sure the general public is aware of this,” said the San Marcos mom.

She explained that many children with autism are non-verbal and can’t say “trick-or-treat” or “thank you.” Some avoid eye contact and others can’t tolerate wearing masks. Often, too, as youngsters they find Halloween scary and overwhelming and aren’t comfortable trick-or-treating until they become teen-agers or older. They may get turned away from some homes or asked questions they can’t answer. Munera knows parents who make badges, calling cards or special bags with explanatory messages for their trick-or-treaters who faced such issues. The pumpkin of a different color idea isn’t without precedent. In 2014, the Teal Pumpkin Project was launched by the Food Allergy Research and Education group to cater to kids with allergies. The group suggested residents set a teal pumpkin on their doorstep as a signal that they have have non-food items such as tiny toys to give to kids with allergies.

Munera bought a teal pumpkin and arms herself with dollar-store items for kids unable to eat the normal Halloween fare. She says the blue bucket idea, though, is a bit controversial among those with autism, and it isn’t for everyone. “Our family is not going to use them,” she said. “We don’t need to broadcast our diagnosis to the world. ... Not everyone is super comfortable with the idea.” — By Diane Bell, Columnist, San Diego Tribune, October 30, 2019

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia