Sensory Friendly Santa

Normally, I wouldn't bring Nathan to see Santa.  The noise and the crowds is a recipe for Nathan to have a sensory meltdown.  It wouldn't be fun for anyone.

Nathan's occupation therapist let us know that the mall near us was offering a sensory friendly Santa this year.  They set up a special time for kids with autism and sensory processing disorders to come see Santa.

They really made visiting Santa autism-friendly.  They turned off the loud Christmas music and turned down the lights.  They had appointments set up so they could control how many people were there at a time.  They had a play table set up with beads, bubbles, slinkies, crayons and coloring books, I Spy bags, and glitter water bottles (all things kids with autism usually love.)  Nathan loved playing with all their toys.  I waited in line to see Santa while Nate got to play.  I think the best part was that all the parents there had a kid with special needs so if anything did happen it really wasn't a big deal.  I talked to a dad and mom in line with two boys (4 & 2) and it was fun chatting about life with autism.

Nathan actually loved visiting Santa.  It kinda surprised me because we really don't talk about Santa.  I did talk him up on the way to see Santa so maybe that got Nate really excited.  But we got up to the front of the line and Nathan said, "Santa Claus!"  He went right over and gave him a high 5 and a pound it turkey.  And he gave us the best grins for the camera.  Evy, not so much.  She was a little worried about being left with a stranger.  Nathan told Santa he wanted a Thomas for Christmas.

The whole event was put on by the Autism Society of Colorado.  One of the ladies who works there has been helping me figure out some insurance stuff and I've been calling her a lot.  She was at the event and so I introduced myself and Nathan.  She immediately gave me a big hug.  After we visited Santa, she came over and told me the news was coming to do a story on the event.  She asked me if I would be interviewed.  Since she has been helping me out so much I really couldn't say no.

So if you want to see Nathan on the news, here you go!