Do you know what else is nice about social media?

Aside from letting us talk to our family and friends, social media is a great way to spread awareness.

One mom used the power of social media three years ago when she posted about the use of blue pumpkins on Halloween.

In just a few weeks, the Halloween season is here!

As we all know, kids love Halloween, along with costumes, and of course, trick or treat!

The experience of picking out their costumes and getting together with friends and family to go trick or treating is something that we all want our kids to experience.

While the choices for Halloween costumes are many, the color of the pumpkin buckets that we use is always orange.

Did you know that these pumpkin buckets also come in different colors?

For Alicia Plumer, this gave way to an idea that she started. In her viral Facebook post three years ago, she chose a blue pumpkin basket for her son who has autism.

She said that by giving a child with autism a specific color pumpkin, homeowners can identify that the child has autism.

Why is this important?

Persons with autism can be scared of unfamiliar and loud sounds, bright lights, and even too many people. Some people in this spectrum also have a hard time communicating verbally and making eye contact.

Halloween is a very busy occasion, and if you’re not aware, you won’t be able to tell which one has autism. Now, if you see a blue pumpkin bucket, you’ll immediately know that the person approaching your home has autism.

You can turn down your loud music or turn off bright lights. Awareness helps a lot, and this is what Alicia Plumer wants to share.

Alicia’s son, BJ, is already 21 years old and has autism. This jolly young man loves Halloween, and he always wants to join the crowd. However, you can’t control how people would react to seeing an adult trying to get his way to get candies, right?

This is the sad reality of people with autism. The signs of autism are not physically obvious that’s why it’s easier for people to judge and misunderstand them.

“Trick or Treat….the BLUE BUCKET…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,” said Pamela in her viral post.

Some parents of autistic kids were doubtful of this idea. For them, it ‘tags’ their kids as different and they can easily be spotted by predators and even bullies. But there were more people who agree with the idea.

Young or old, everyone deserves to enjoy Trick or Treat.

“So when you see the blue bucket share a piece of candy. Spread awareness! These precious people are not “too big” to trick or treat,” Alicia ends her post.

This practice is still alive today and if you agree, don’t forget to share this with your friends and family.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: KSAT 12, Mass General, Alicia Plumer