By Julia Beauregard
Hometown Weekly Editor
Bierman Autism Center of Needham hosted their annual sensory friendly trunk or treat this past Saturday, October 26 in the Bierman parking lot. This event is a celebration for the amazing special needs community, carefully crafted to accommodate everyone in attendance.
This event offered a wonderful opportunity to prepare children on the spectrum for Halloween night or offered a fantastic alternative for these children to still celebrate Halloween. This event was held in the late morning so children could enjoy the natural lighting outside without the risk of overwhelm or overstimulation.
There were a variety of trunks present with an array of themes such as dinosaurs and ghosts to bring some spooky magic. Each trunk offered a variety of allergy friendly treats as well as different sensory friendly toys, such as slinky’s and the children to choose from. Each trunk participant was patient, welcoming, and kind to each child as they picked their perfect treat.
Aside from the delicious treats, children were able to transform into their favorite animal, character, or creature at the faceprinting station. There were a variety of games offered such as ring toss, bean bag toss, and balloon pop that were tailored for children of all ability levels. Families were welcomed to come inside of the center to unleash their creativity with a variety of crafts available.
This event took place during Needham’s Fall Family Fun Day, which included a variety of events such as the annual spooky walk, pumpkin decorating, spooky story time, crafts in the common, and a concert in the common. This trunk or treat allowed for those in the special needs community to still participate in some Needham themed Halloween fun, while avoiding overstimulation. It was a fun day for all in Needham.
