A Tennessee mom says people should stop making trick-or-treating harder for kids with autism: ‘Just give him some candy’

A mother from Tennessee has a simple request for people handing out Halloween candy this year: Don’t make children say “trick-or-treat” before giving them a treat. Some kids simply cannot say it, and she said that shouldn’t keep them from enjoying Halloween.

Phieudora, a mother of a child with autism in Memphis, shared the reminder in a TikTok video that quickly gained attention online. She raised awareness on how some autistic children are non-speaking and may not be able to follow the familiar Halloween exchange expected at people’s doorsteps.

“Some kids are autistic, and they’re non-verbal,” she shared. She also spoke about her own experience taking her son out for Halloween, explaining that he cannot say the phrase. “He can’t say trick-or-treat, okay? Just give him some candy.”

The video had reportedly attracted more than hundreds of thousands of views and 3,807 comments as of writing. The discussion also prompted other parents to share the accommodations they use when taking their children trick-or-treating.

It doesn’t mean they aren’t participating

Phieudora’s video resonated with parents who have encountered similar expectations while trying to make Halloween enjoyable for their children. Among the responses were parents showing off special trick-or-treat bags designed to explain their children’s communication needs. Some carried messages such as, “I am autistic and do not speak, but thank you for my treat.”

Other parents shared how their children communicate differently. One commenter explained that her son might not say the expected Halloween greeting, while another joked that her daughter could dance but struggled to say “trick-or-treat.” 

The discussion also extended to older children who might be judged for still wanting to participate in Halloween festivities. For some families, finding ways for non-speaking children to communicate is an ongoing process, particularly when they rely on tools such as augmentative and alternative communication devices.

A little flexibility can make Halloween more welcoming

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) addressed this in its 2025 Halloween guidance. The organization explained that trick-or-treating can involve considerable communication pressure, particularly for children who stutter, have speech or language disorders, or do not communicate verbally.

ASHA suggested that families use visual cards, notes, or augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to help children communicate while trick-or-treating. They also advised people answering the door to be patient, stay positive, and not insist on a verbal response before giving a child candy.

“Not all kids communicate easily—or in the same way,” the organization said. “Give them the benefit of the doubt—because Halloween should be fun for everyone.”

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