‘Be patient and be kind’: Iowa mom says Halloween should include everyone, even kids with autism
By Carson DuRall
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COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KETV) — One local mother from Council Bluffs is making sure her child with autism isn’t left out of typical activities this Halloween, and she’s written a book about it.
Nature Decker recently wrote Halloween is for Everyone; it launches Oct. 7 on the Barnes and Noble website, but is available for pre-order now.
Decker said she was inspired to write the book by her son Cash, who has stage three autism; her goal is to make this holiday enjoyable for everyone.
“You know, it’s a scary feeling for them. They don’t know them, you know. And it makes it even worse because they don’t understand them either,” Decker said.
The Central for Disease Control has revealed that approximately one in every 31 children in the U.S. has autism.
In Nebraska, the Autism Family Network said the 2025 Nebraska Kids Count estimated there are more than 15,000 children across the state with autism.
“Be patient and be kind because chances are you are going to have a child with autism coming to your door on Halloween,” Autism Family Network President Cathy Martinez said.
For 3-year-old Cash Decker, Halloween is his favorite day.
“It’s really amazing. You know how much he enjoys the Halloween spirit, you know? But it is nerve-wracking for him at the same time, meeting different people. The crowds are scary for him,” Decker said.
Cash is non-verbal, so on Halloween he can’t say things like “trick or treat” or “thank you.”
“For me as a mother, I just want people to understand him and be able to talk to him,” Decker said.
That’s what inspired his mom to write Halloween is for Everyone.
“I wanted to bring that out for him because that’s what we see a lot for Halloween is, a lot of people are waiting for that, ‘Hey, thank you,’ you know, or, ‘Can you say trick or treat?’ Well, he doesn’t do that,” Decker said.
The hope is that everyone handing out candy this Halloween is prepared for all kids coming to their doorstep.
“Lots of kids with autism; their parents do restrictive diets like gluten-free or milk-free diets. So maybe have some options available for kids that might have those dietary restrictions,” Martinez said.
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