Autism friendly Santas

[eridani]

http://www.readersupportednews.org/news-section2/313-17/9072-focus-autism-friendly-santas-a-hit-at-malls-parties


Many children with autism are especially sensitive to loud noises, jangling music, crowds and unpredictable situations, and some parents say the idea that they could wait patiently in a long line to see Santa is laughable at best.

The Borres tried without success a few times over the years to grab quick snapshots if Ben randomly walked close enough to any Santa they encountered, but with mixed results.

Now, he visits an autism-friendly Santa each December at an informal yearly event that Borre and other autism families hold at a local playground. The sensitive Santa happens to be Ben's grandfather, Ray Lepak, who was compelled to become an autism-friendly Santa for local families after seeing what his daughter's family was experiencing.

"Just because a family has a child with special needs doesn't mean they don't want all the same memories that everyone else does," Borre said. "We all want those same holiday joyful moments; it just has to be approached differently."

[SheilaT]

1. That's quite nice.

I have long been horrified that many parents seem to think that pictures of their very young children crying on Santa's lap, is somehow charming. If your kid is frightened to be sitting on the lap of a stranger, DON'T MAKE HIM DO IT.