LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. -- At Palm Beach School of Autism in Lake Worth Beach the students love to play. But this month teachers have a special lesson plan to make sure these children can enjoy Halloween.
“It’s a fun holiday, it’s a kid holiday! It’s for them,” associate director Allison Ballin said.
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Ballin says children with autism can have a difficult time expressing how they are feeling. She says there are steps parents can take to make sure their child is prepared for trick or treating.
“We practice knocking on doors and also knowing your child and knowing the limits,” she said.
Darby Volguardson says each Halloween is different for her child. “We prepare her and maybe we only go to three houses,” she said.
Volguardson says they also work to prepare their neighbors letting them know their child might receive gestures differently. She suggests letting a child on the spectrum approach you for candy instead of offering it.
“I always have things available for kids that don’t want candy and I think most houses are starting to do that,” she said.
Volguardson says the best thing you can do is try and not being afraid of the outcome.
“She can’t live in a bubble,” Volguardson said.
