ONTARIO — Children and their families were welcomed to the SparkJoy ABA sensory-friendly Trunk or Treat on Oct. 22 at its Ontario clinic.
Designed to welcome children with disabilities, including autism, alongside their siblings and families, the event brought the community together for an evening of accessible, inclusive Halloween fun.
Sensory-friendly supports were woven throughout the celebration to help children participate comfortably and at their own pace.
Communication lanyards offered children an additional way to express their needs, while token boards and visual schedules helped make activities and expectations more predictable.
For families whose children may find traditional Halloween events overwhelming, the celebration offered a welcoming opportunity to enjoy Halloween together, with support for different sensory and communication needs.
“Families deserve opportunities to enjoy community traditions with their children’s needs already considered,” said Donnie Gallagher, Founder and Clinical Director of SparkJoy ABA.
“We wanted children to be able to communicate in their own way, participate at their own pace, and have fun alongside their siblings and friends. Seeing so many families join us reinforced how much these opportunities matter.”
Community partners helped bring the event to life by donating candy and setting up trunks.
“We’re excited to build on this year’s success by inviting more organizations that serve individuals with disabilities to join us next year,” said Megan Hefner, Education and Program Manager at SparkJoy ABA.
“We would especially love to welcome adults with disabilities, alongside organizations that support them, to host trunks and help create a celebration that brings our community together.”
SparkJoy ABA extends a heartfelt thank-you to Ontario Police Department, Ontario Public Library, Lexington NHS, Lexington Varsity Cheerleaders, The Monicas with McDonald’s, CNG, Lexington Girls Soccer, Appleseed Premier Soccer, Bo Lacey Construction, Dollar Tree, and Safety First Driving Academy for their contributions. SparkJoy ABA also thanks its clients’ families, staff, and staff members’ families for helping make the evening a success.
With such an enthusiastic turnout, SparkJoy ABA looks forward to expanding next year’s event and creating more opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families to celebrate together.
About SparkJoy ABA
SparkJoy ABA is an Ontario, Ohio-based provider of applied behavior analysis and educational services for children and adolescents with autism.
Through individualized services, family collaboration, and community activities, SparkJoy supports communication, learning, independence, and meaningful participation in everyday life.
