Excited cries of “trick or trick, trick or treat” emanating from the parking lot signaled an early Halloween for the students and families at Suffolk’s Rivers Bend Academy on Thursday.

Instead of going house-to-house and asking for candy, students Thursday enjoyed “trunk-or-treating” as a safe alternative.

Students at the school, ranging in age from 2 to 22, are on the autism spectrum. “For our guys, we have a couple of extra challenges,” said Anne Metzger, senior director at Rivers Bend.

“Sometimes we have sensory processing issues, so this is a great practice-run for them with their costumes.”

Many of the children have dietary restrictions, Metzgar added, which also presents challenges for traditional trick-or-treating.

“We have a lot of staff in case they have a meltdown,” she said. “They are familiar with all the staff members.”

Eight decorated trunks or truck beds decorated with spider webs, jack-o’-lanterns, skulls and skeletons were lined up outside the building off Burnett’s Way.

Before students were accompanied outside in groups in search of candy or other treats, they decorated their bags inside.

“This is great for socialization for the kids,” said Christine Kirch, mother of 12-year-old Nathan Kirch.

“They lack verbal skills and social skills — some kids that go here might not have options to go trick-or-treating. This gives them the opportunity to get out and do something in the community.”

According to speech therapist Kimmy Eller, it was a way for the Rivers Bend children to experience what typical children experience.

Teacher assistant Karyn Waterfield said: “They are interacting with children in other classes, not just their own class.”