Heartwarming Halloween Tradition For Kids With Autism

TRICK OR TREATING ON THE SPECTRUM

Kristin Hilsgen has a son named Jackson. Her wonderful son was diagnosed with Autism when he was just two years old. Jackson is non-verbal. Kristin shared with me that Jackson seemed to have some difficulties around the holidays as he grew up. Take, for example, Halloween. Trick or Treating for most kids is a fun experience. Dressing up in costumes; the scares; the candy. For Jackson and many other kids on the spectrum, not so much.

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HOW IT FEELS

Jackson didn’t like wearing costumes because it caused him some sensory issues. Since he is non-verbal, Jackson is unable to say “Trick or Treat,” which made some home stops on trick-or-treat journeys feel a little awkward. There were many years when Kristin’s family cut trick-or-treating pretty short on many occasions.

Photo by Kristen Hilsgen

You can listen to our interview with Kristin below.

A BETTER WAY

Kristin thought; there had to be a better way. She started making treat bags for his ABA therapy class. (Applied Behavior Analysis). Northway Academy offers therapy for kids on the autism spectrum. Kristin just thought she would do something nice for the kids out of her own pocket at the time, not really thinking about what would happen next.

Photo by Kristen Hilsgen

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

As each year went by, Kristin started trying to make each treat bag a little better, and eventually add all of the Northway Academy kids in the area.

Since those early days, the gift of giving has turned into a fundraising effort, and
Last year, Kristin and those who wanted to help created around 700-800 treat bags, and were able to reach a lot of children and adults with autism.

This year's goal is 1,000 bags that will be sent to these great organizations:

EVERY Northway ABA clinic in MN
EVERY Fraser ABA clinic in MN
Kessler Speech
Connectability's Inclusive Trick or Treat Event
Catalyst Behavior Solutions in St. Cloud
Foundations Autism Center in Sartell
Many local group homes in the Saint Cloud area
The Great Pumpkin Trick or Treating event in Saint Cloud

HOW YOU CAN HELP

If you would like to help make this amazing fundraiser even bigger, you can help. Please donate non-peanut candy treats on or before October 2nd. You can find a list of drop-off locations below or you can donate with the following links:

DROP OFF LOCATIONS

You can drop off candy donations at the following locations:

Townsquare Media at Lincoln Ave. SE, St. Cloud MN 56304
Anejos-Sartell
Tacoholics- St. Joe
Friends Bar- Waite Park
Ducks- Saint Cloud
Mts on 8th- Saint Cloud

ALLERGENS

NOTE: If you want to send candy, please avoid products and goods that contain items like peanuts as we want to avoid common allergies.

BACKSHED BREWING EVENT ON OCTOBER 6TH

If you would like to help out even more, you can volunteer to fill candy bags at the event at Backshed Brewing on October 6th. Kristin and anyone who would like to volunteer can come to this great, fun location and volunteer their time from Noon until 2:30 pm.