CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — For many kids, Halloween is an exciting time of the year to dress up and eat lots of candy. But, for children with autism, it comes with challenges.
Sara Ortwein’s daughter, Annabelle, was just diagnosed with autism, earlier this year.
Ortwein said thinking about certain things, like Halloween, made her nervous for her daughter.
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But, Annabelle was so excited to show us her new trick-or-treating bag—it’s blue. Her mom said she’s dressing up as a doctor this year.
“She loves to go run and get an ice pack for somebody if they fell.” Ortwein said. “She really wanted to be a doctor this year.”
She said her favorite part about the spooky holiday is walking around the neighborhood with other kids and going up to the doors.
“Things that are harder for her is that she can’t say ‘trick or treat.’” Ortwein said. “She can’t knock on the door. If she does, she thinks that she’s going to go inside.”
Ortwein said this is the first year she’s trying out the blue bag for her daughter’s candy. It’s to let other trick-or-treaters and families know that her daughter is on the spectrum.
The color blue has become an unofficial symbol of awareness for autism.
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The blue bucket or bag is meant to provide a subtle way to alert people that their child or young adult may not be able to make eye contact, tolerate masks or even say “thank you.”
More moms are getting creative with the response to the blue bucket.
One Clay County mom had bags made that say “I have autism. I may not say ‘trick or treat’ but I’m trying.”
“It lets people be aware that she’s not being rude or not talking to them or too shy. She just can’t verbalize it.” Ortwein said. “So, let them be included, and give them a great smile. Make them feel like they’re doing a great job, because they are because for them they really are doing a great job.”
Cox Media Group
