Families utilize blue pumpkins to signify special needs for Halloween

Some parents nationwide are using blue pumpkins to designate that a child has special needs. The Giangregorio family is among those -- their son Nicholas has autism.

News 12 Staff

Oct 24, 2019, 8:47 PM

Updated 1,806 days ago

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Halloween is just days away, but this year instead of orange pumpkins, you might see some blue ones.
Some parents nationwide are using blue pumpkins to designate that a child has special needs. The Giangregorio family is among those -- their son Nicholas has autism.
"I'm going to have them outside my house, so if there are any children in my neighborhood that are on the spectrum or their parents are walking them around, they'll know that I'm a friendly house and that I'm not going to pass judgement if a child doesn't say thank you," says Alison Giangregorio.
But as the movement grows, some think the blue pumpkins will backfire.
"I would rather them walk around with an orange pumpkin like everybody else is, and feel very included," says Robin Portanova, of Stamford Education 4 Autism.
Portanova says, depending on where a child falls on the spectrum, there may be a better option.
"The most wonderful thing that your son or daughter could do is invite that neighbor with autism to go trick-or-treating with you," says Portanova.
Other parents suggest "trunk-or-treating" -- where kids go car-to-car in a parking lot with fewer noises and distractions.
But Giangregorio thinks blue is a great way to building understanding.
"Just saying hello to him, even if he doesn't give you a 'Happy Halloween,' even if he doesn't give you that response that you're expecting, do it anyway. It'll make the mom real happy," says Giangregorio.