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Atmore Community Hospital Therapy Services has announced recently a Halloween event designed for children with special needs and their families.

The event, “Sensory Innovations,” designed and coordinated by the Therapy Services Clinic, will be held next Mon., Oct. 28, from 3-5 p.m.

“Sometimes children with special needs are unable to participate in the ‘traditional’ Trick-or- Treat experience due to the unpredictability of Halloween,” said April Johnson, speech language pathologist at Atmore Therapy Services. “The sights, sounds and smells that accompany trick-or-treating can make Halloween 100 times scarier to a child with special needs.”

The Atmore Therapy Services team is holding this event for special needs families so that their child can enjoy collecting candy without becoming too overwhelmed, according to a release.

Officials said the Sensory Innovations party will offer food, candy, reduced noise levels and fun sensory games, activities and crafts.

“Our team wanted to create an event specific for these families, where the child can be free and feel normal, rather than withdrawn and ostracized, while simultaneously overcoming their fears and limitations. We wanted each child to be free and be themselves, and each parent to enjoy seeing them be able to do so. Every child deserves a chance, and we hope that this is the start of a brighter future for every family that attends,” Bridget Barnes, occupational therapist with Atmore Therapy Services, said.