ROANOKE, VA โ When Monica Carterโs son goes trick or treating - sheโs hoping he gets a bucketful of kindness and patience along with his candy.
โJust be open to that and maybe take it a little bit slower,โ Monica said.
Halloween is Monicaโs son Ryanโs favorite day of the year.
Ryan has autism, which means the holiday looks a little bit different.
โHe has quite a significant disability, but weโve just worked really hard over the years,โ Monica said.
Monica tells 10 News sheโs in awe of Ryanโs love for costumes - which is drastically different from his day-to-day.
โLast year, we couldnโt wear a coat at all, so for him to wear a costume is just pretty exciting,โ she said.
Heโs largely nonverbal - and when he rings the doorbell, he may not say โtrick or treat.โ
โHe doesnโt have a lot of words. He does have a communication device, which looks like an iPad, but is strictly for communication. And he may or may not say โtrick-or-treat.โ I can usually prompt him to say โthank you,โโ she said.
We sat down with Leslie Painter, the Director of VIA Centers for Neurodevelopmentโs Day School, who says while Halloween can look unique for those with neurological differences - inclusion is crucial.
โTheyโre just like the rest of us. They love going around and getting snacks, who doesnโt?โ Painter said.
Ryan loves dressing up in his costumes, but other kids with autism may not.
โYou may have a kid come to your door that canโt wear a costume,โ 10 News Anchor Abbie Coleman said.
โAnd not have a costume on. And thatโs okay. We have to remember. I keep going back to โletโs give them grace, letโs be patientโ, but when we have kiddos with autism or theyโre neurodivergent, they may not be able to wear the coats,โ Painter said.
Painter says - if you see someone who looks a little older than the average trick-or-treater, thereโs a good chance they are operating at a lower age mentally.
โHeโs almost as tall as me, but weโre still planning to trick or treat,โ Monica said about Ryan.
While youโre handing out candy - you may notice a blue pumpkin - a reminder to be a little more mindful.
โIf they do have a blue bucket, or maybe are wearing a blue pin, that means that they do have autism, so yes, we maybe need to give a few seconds when we ask them a question if theyโre verbal,โ Painter said.
Monica tells us sheโs grateful for a community thatโs accepted Ryan and allows him to be himself - Or anyone else he wants to be on Halloween.
โWe are pretty isolated. Itโs pretty exciting to be able to participate in the community like that,โ Monica said.
VIA Day School is hosting its annual Fall Festival on Friday, November 1 from 4:00-6:30. There will be games, community resources, interactive activities, and food. There are also quiet rooms and sensory activities.
They say it is an event aimed at inclusivity and is open to all. You can register for the fall festival here.