Rehabilitation science students in the College of Nursing and Health Professions transformed the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences’ parking lot into a free, inclusive Halloween event last week. The event was designed for children with disabilities and sensory/stimulation needs so the children could celebrate Halloween like all other kids.

Athletic training, communication disorders, occupational therapy assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy assistant, and physical therapy students organized vendors, decorated rooms, collected candy donations and ran the event.

Faculty members also volunteered to help.

“Sensory Trick-or-Treat at A-State is a service to the community that no one else provides,” said Christine Wright, department chair and assistant dean for special projects.

The event was for the entire family. Whether family members get overwhelmed by their children’s response to traditional Halloween activities, or they wanted a space for their kids to feel safe, the event allowed them to walk around and have their children welcomed in a safe, educational space.

“Trick-or-treating can be overwhelming for some children; we’re doing this so children can trick-or-treat in a safe environment for specific needs,” said Susan Motts, associate professor of physical therapy.

Events like these create spaces where neurodivergent children can participate without feeling uncomfortable and the experience helps them feel seen.

A wide variety of educational and neurodivergent-friendly activities were available in the parking lot of the Reynolds building. Students and staff also gave out treats to children.

Cars lined the parking lot with different activities, such as fur pelt petting with staff from Parkin Archaeological State Park, students helping with occupational therapy, public libraries on wheels and children’s media-themed trunks.

Parkin Archaeological State Park Superintendent Nathan Odom, who hosted a fur pelt petting trunk, said he was glad they were able to be part of the event.

In addition to the outdoor trunk-or-treating, inside the Donald W. Reynolds building children could take a break, go through a Wizard of Oz-themed walkthrough and get their picture taken.

“We served over 110 families,” Wright said. “We so appreciate all the volunteers and community agencies who made the event a huge success. We plan to do it all again next year.”

For the families who participated, the night was about more than candy. It was a chance for children to be included in a tradition many take for granted, and for parents to enjoy it alongside them.

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