Recently, I stumbled upon a Facebook post about blue pumpkins. A mother named Clara Jenkins, whose son is autistic and non-verbal, shared that her child would be carrying a blue pumpkin this Halloween. The purpose? To signal that he might not say “trick or treat” himself, but she would say it for him. Clara hopes that if the blue pumpkin concept gains traction, she won’t have to explain her son’s situation to every stranger throughout the night.
This post has gone viral, garnering over 100,000 shares, with many praising the idea. I can empathize with her intentions. My youngest child is also autistic. While he does speak, it’s uncertain if he will say “trick or treat” at each house we visit. We’re practicing, and there’s a glimmer of hope, but ultimately, we won’t know how it goes until we try.
Parents of children with special needs, like myself, are always seeking ways to make holidays more enjoyable for our kids. Clara understands the challenges faced by children who are different, and her suggestion reflects a genuine desire to ease her child’s experiences. I relate to her worries; it’s disheartening when people misinterpret my son’s behavior.
While I see why some parents resonate with this concept, we won’t be using a blue pumpkin this Halloween.
A few years back, the Teal Pumpkin Project was initiated by Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) to ensure Halloween is safe for children with food allergies. Households can display a teal pumpkin to signify that they offer non-food treats, and some kids with allergies may choose to carry a teal pumpkin bucket to indicate their needs. This project focuses on the homes providing treats, not the individual trick-or-treaters.
We participate in this initiative every year, providing both candy and safe non-food options. It’s a small way to include children who may otherwise miss out on Halloween fun.
At first glance, the blue pumpkin idea seems similar to the Teal Pumpkin Project, but I feel they diverge significantly. Teal pumpkins show that adults are prepared to accommodate kids with dietary restrictions. Children with food allergies aren’t obligated to identify themselves on Halloween; they can simply look for teal pumpkins and select treats that suit them.
If someone wants to place a blue pumpkin on their porch to show they’ll be kind to my son, I’m all for that. However, it saddens me that a loving parent feels the need to create a signal for her child to be treated nicely while enjoying a simple Halloween activity.
Why should non-verbal and autistic children have to advertise their diagnoses for others to choose kindness? It’s simply unfair. The blue pumpkin concept exists because some people can be remarkably unkind to children with special needs.
This Halloween, my kids will stick to their usual buckets. When our neighbors open their doors, they will see my little one dressed as a red-headed velociraptor, grinning while clutching his orange bucket, ready to collect candy. Whether he says “trick or treat” or not, everyone will understand his intent. Why should he have to go through an awkward interaction simply because he’s unable to express himself verbally? More importantly, why should he carry a conspicuous blue pumpkin to convey his neurodiversity just to receive a smile and a treat?
If you’re participating in Halloween by handing out candy, I encourage you to be kind to every child who approaches your door. It’s unnecessary for strangers to know my son’s background unless they want to feel good about being nice to an autistic child. Kindness should be extended to all kids, regardless of their ability to verbalize it.
Understand that many children are doing their best. Halloween can be overwhelming, especially for those who are a bit different. Yet, it’s the one night they can wear costumes, embrace their roles, and not have to struggle to fit into a world that often overlooks them.
So, let’s not require kids to carry special buckets to earn kindness. At the end of the day, let’s foster a culture of compassion; if we do, we won’t need blue pumpkins at all.
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Summary
The article discusses the blue pumpkin trend to signal that a child with autism may not verbally say “trick or treat.” While the author empathizes with the intention behind it, they argue that children shouldn’t have to display their diagnoses for kindness. Instead, they advocate for general compassion towards all children during Halloween, regardless of their abilities.
Keyphrase
Blue pumpkins for autistic kids
Tags
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