It has only been a couple of days since Halloween. Even so, some malls are getting ready for Santa. Kids who become overwhelmed by the many sensory aspects of being in a mall to see Santa can visit a Sensory Friendly Santa instead.
Children tend to get very excited about going to the mall to visit Santa Claus. This has become a traditional part of the holiday season. Children who have a sensory integration disfunction disorder, or an autism spectrum disorder, might become overwhelmed by the over-the-top sensory aspects that goes along with a trip to see Santa.
Typically, Santa is located in a central part of a mall, right in the middle of a large crowd of people. The mall will have bright lights, and music may be playing. Most malls add large, colorful, holiday decorations, some of which may include lights. Going to see Santa involves waiting in a line that may be very long, and that may not move very fast. This can be too much for some children to handle.
Recently, malls have started realizing that children who have special needs will need a less stressful situation surrounding their visit to see Santa. Parents can look for a Sensory Friendly Santa event, or a Caring Santa event, to take their child to. The lights may be dimmer than usual. Music is turned off. It may take place before the mall opens, in order to lower the amount of people who are crowding in.
Last year, I wrote blogs that informed parents of kids who have special needs where, and when, they could find a Sensory Friendly Santa. This year, a few days after Halloween, there are already some Sensory Friendly Santa event that are planned out. One might be near where you live.
The Northlake Mall, which is located in Atlanta, Georgia, will have a Caring Santa at the mall on December 2, 2012. The event will be held from 9:00 in the morning through 11:00 in the morning, (before the mall opens), in order to make accommodations to support the sensory, physical, and developmental needs of all guests.
The Lawyers Autism Awareness Association which is located in Tampa, Florida, will hold a Sensory Friendly Santa Event on December 8, 2102, at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center. The event is free of charge. Please register if you wish to attend. Children can have a one-on-one visit with Santa in an environment that has natural lighting and low noise. Patient and sympathetic photographers can take a photo of your child with Santa.
That’s all I have found so far. Return to the Special Needs blog this November and December to find more information about Sensory Friendly Santa Events. Taking your child to visit with Santa can be a comfortable experience.
Image by Matti Mattila on Flickr