(Photo Source: ktnv.com)

Teacher helps student with autism for Halloween

A Las Vegas teacher decided to help a student recently diagnosed with autism this Halloween, making him a special sign to carry Trick-or-Treating that reads, “Trick or treat! I may not speak, but thank you for the yummy sweets.”

Four-year-old Julian Villafuerte has a limited vocabulary for his age, and can’t use the phrase “Trick or Treat.” His mother, Iliana, says this makes Halloween difficult for her as well as her son.

“They expect him to speak when he doesn’t,” says Julian’s mom Iliana. “It’s a little bit of a heartbreak for him and for me too…Pretty much all night I’m explaining…no, he can’t speak. I know he looks old enough, but he can’t speak.”

Iliana was so excited with the sign Julian’s teacher sent home that she shared it on Facebook, hoping other parents and teachers of autistic children could borrow the idea. She said that thanks to Julian’s teacher, her son is looking forward to wearing his new dog costume while Trick-or-Treating this Thursday.

“I really, really want him to enjoy it, go out to be with the kids, to have a basket full of candy… even if I don’t let him eat it. I want him to enjoy himself, to feel included,” Iliana said.