Blue Bucket Halloween

Trick-or-treating just got more inclusive! While Halloween is typically awash in all things orange, blue buckets have recently become an unofficial symbol for autism awareness and acceptance. For families with children with nonverbal autism, Halloween has long been a stress—considering the social norm of rewarding masked children’s verbal “trick or treat!” demand with candy. Now, the blue bucket phenomenon is carving out space for children with autism to experience judgment-free Halloween festivities, acting as a subtle announcement that no one is being impolite, they simply may communicate differently—and saving moms and dads accompanying them the need to explain house after house. So, as the ghostly holiday looms closer, help spread the word about autism awareness and acceptance this Halloween.