The Blue Bucket & the Teal Pumpkin Project

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The Blue Bucket & the Teal Pumpkin Project are two completely different initiatives that help people on the Autism Spectrum and people with Food Allergies (or both) have a safer and more inclusive Halloween experience while Trick-or-Treating.


Please print the following image and share it to help spread awareness about these initiatives, and of course, look at the rest of the information we are sharing to understand the differences between the “Blue Bucket” and the “Teal Pumpkin Project”.

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The Blue Bucket

Inspired by the “Teal Pumpkin Project”, on October 25th, 2018, a Facebook user (Alicia Plumer) shared a post with a blue jack-o-Lantern image advertising to her neighbors that her son, a 21-year-old on the Autism Spectrum, was going Treat-or-Tricking because he loves Halloween. In order to keep her son’s spirit alive and happy, she asked for their support by not only spreading awareness but also by sharing a piece of candy when they see him and others with a blue bucket!

That post went viral, and many people were in support of people on the spectrum carrying the “Blue Buckets” for Trick-or-Treating. The word even got out to some news outlets that began reporting this initiative as fact.

It is important to note that while many Autism support groups utilize the color blue, this color is not necessarily the official representative color of all Autism-related groups. However, many groups take advantage of the widespread recognition movements like “Blue Bucket”, the “Light it Up Blue” and even the “Blue Puzzle” have received, and are using the blue color to spark attention. This initiative is no different. It is important to take advantage of the awareness that this color has generated, and support initiatives like the “Blue Bucket” to keep increasing awareness.

Since the “Blue Bucket” project is still relatively new, people on the Autism Spectrum going Trick-or-Treating could also wear badges or signs to inform their neighbors about their specific situation. This provides members of their community with the appropriate knowledge to be able to respond in a more comprehensive way.


The Teal Pumpkin Project

The following information can be found at the Food Allergy webpage:

People that put a teal pumpkin on their doorstep signify that they have non-food treats available, such as glow sticks or small toys. This simple act promotes inclusion for trick-or-treaters with food allergies or other conditions.

  • Provide non-food treats for trick-or-treaters

  • Place a teal pumpkin in front of your home to indicate to people passing by that you have non-food treats available

  • Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project map

  • Spread the word! Share the Teal Pumpkin Project with your friends and family!                                                                                        

Please visit their website for more information and material to share: https://www.foodallergy.org/education-awareness/teal-pumpkin-project/get-started


Since this information can be read online anywhere in the world, I encourage you to visit The St. Anthony School Webpage: https://www.thestanthonyschool.com and Social Media: Facebook, Instagram & YouTube Channel for more information about Autism and other Neurological Disorders. 

 

About the Author:

Alicia MC is a Writer, a Neurodiversity Advocate, and a Corporate and Social Media Marketing Specialist eager to share her experience & knowledge to help others.

 

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(http://www.autism.com), DAS, Developmental Apraxia of Speech, DCD, Development Coordination Disorder, DD, Developmentally Delayed, Developmental Disabilities, Developmental Disorder, DDD, Department of Developmental Disabilities, DHHS, Department of Health and Human Services, DS, Developmental Services, DSM, Diagnostic Statistical Manual, DSM-IV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 4th Edition, DSMR, Diagnostic Statistical Manual (Revised) - preceded DSM-IV, DTVMI, Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, DX, Diagnosis, diagnosed, EASe, Electronic Auditory Stimulation effect, EBD, Emotional Behavioral Disorder, ECSE, Early Childhood Special Education, ED, Emotionally Disturbed, EFD, Executive Functioning Disorder, EH, Emotionally Handicapped, EI, Early Intervention, EIBI, Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, EMH, Educable Mentally Handicapped, EOH, A list serve on Yahoogroups.com named after the book, Evidence of Harm by David Kirby, EPD, Enzyme Potentiated Desensitization, EPSDT, Early & Periodic Screening, Diagnosis & Treatment Program, ERIC, Educational Resources Information Center, a computer database of educational information, ESE, Exceptional Student Education, FAQ, Frequently Asked Questions (an info sheet in Q&A format), FAS, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, FC, Facilitated Communication, FDSS, Family Driven Support Services, fMRI, Functional MRI (brain scan test), FSP, Family Support Plan, FSS, Family Support Services, GAF, Global Assessment of Functioning scale, GARS, Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, GED, General Education Development (a test in place of High School Diploma), HFA, High Functioning Autism, HSLDA, Home School Legal Defense Organization, ICF, Intermediate Care Facility, IDEA, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IEP, Individualized Education Plan, IFSP, Individualized Family Service Plan, IQ, Intelligence Quotient, JADD, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, LD, Learning Disability, Learning Disabled, LEA, Local Education Agency, LRE, Least Restrictive Environment, M-D, Manic Depression (now called bipolar depression), MDO, Major Depressive Disorder, MDT, Multi-Disciplinary Team (called “CSE” in some states), MFC, Marriage and Family Counselor, MFCC, Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor, MFE, Multi-Factored Evaluation, MH, Mental Health, Mentally Handicapped; Mentally Retarded (IQ less than 70), MPD, Multiple Personality Disorder, MRI, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MSDD, Multi-system developmental disorder, NBD, Neurobiological Disorder, NDA, Not Diagnosed with Anything, NICHCY, National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities, NIEHS, National Institute of Environmental Health Services, NIMH, National Institute of Mental Health, NINDS, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NJCOSAC, New Jersey Center for Outreach & Services for the Autism Community, NOD, Not Otherwise Defined, Not Otherwise Diagnosed, NORD, National Organization for Rare Disorders, NOS, Not of Specific Origin, Not Otherwise Specified, usually seen as PDD-NOS, NPD, Normal Person Disorder, NPND, National Parent Network on Disabilities, NT, Neurologically Typical, Neurotypical, NVLD, Non-Verbal Learning Disability, NYD, Not Yet Diagnosed, OAAC, Office of Advocacy for Autistic Children, OASIS, On-line Asperger’s Syndrome Information and Support, OCB, Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior, OCD, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Office of Child Development, Oppositional Conduct Disorder, OCYF, Office of Children, Youth, and Families, ODD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, OMHSAS, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, ORS, Office of Rehabilitation Services, OSEP, Office of Special Education Programs, OSERS, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, OSP, Office of Social Programs, OT, Occupational Therapist or therapy, OVR, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, PANDAS, Pediatric Autoimmune Neurological Disorder Associated with Strep, Part B, References parts of IDEA which covers education of ages 3-22, PCA, Personal Care Assistant, PDD, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, PDDNOS, Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified, PDR, Physician’s Desk Reference, PECS, Picture Exchange Communication System, PEN, Parent Education Network, POA, Power of Attorney, POHI, Physically or Otherwise Health Impaired, PPCD, Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities, PPO, Preferred Physician Organization, Preferred Provider Option, PPS, Pupil Personnel Services, PQ, Performance IQ, PRT, Pivotal Response Training, PT, Physical Therapist or Therapy, PTIC, Parent Training and Information Center, PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PUNS, Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services, PwD, People with Disabilities, RDI, Relationship Developmental Intervention, SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder (aka “Wintertime Depression”), SBH, Severe Behavior Handicap, SCD, Specific Carbohydrate Diet, SD, School District, SED, Severely Emotionally Disturbed, SELPA, Special Education Local Plan Area (used in CA), SERRC, Special Educational Regional Recourse Center, SI, Sensory Integration, SID, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, SIB, Self-injurious behavior, SIPT, Sensory Integration and Praxis Text, SLP, Speech and Language Pathologist, SNT, Special Needs Trust, SuperNu Thera - by Kirkman Labs, Sped, special education, SSA, Social Security Administration, SSD, Social Security Disability, SSRI, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - class of meds, incl: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, SST, Student Study Team, STAART, Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment, STRANS, Survey of Teenage Readiness And Neurodevelopmental Status, TACA, Talk About Curing Autism, TEACCH, Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Disorders, TMG, TriMethylGlycine (see also DMG), TOPL, Test of Pragmatic Language, TS, Tourette’s Syndrome, TSS, Therapeutic Support Staff, VB, Verbal Behavior, Voc-Ed, Vocational Education, VQ, Verbal IQ, VR, Vocational Rehabilitation, WAIS, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (an IQ test), WIIA, Work Incentives Initiative Act, WISC, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (an IQ test), WPPSI, Weschler Preschool Primary - testing for under age 6