Parents of children with autism watched, with a sigh of relief, as Santa entertained the kids. As the year draws to a close, there are countless meet and greets with the Christmastime chief, Saint Nick, but the gathering Sunday, December 5th at the Milton Mall was special.
"Crowded malls present a lot of sensory challenges for people with autism. The experience can be slightly annoying or even painful," says Abby Aldoroty, coordinator of the Autism Response Team for Autism Speaks.
People with autism can struggle with sensory processing. For example, they can be hyper-sensitive to light and/or sounds. Alternatively, some people find autism decreases their ability to feel sensory input. It can go either way.
"Children on the spectrum may also have social and communication challenges, or be more prone to having a meltdown," the coordinator adds.
This can be a tall order for parents and caregivers to adapt to. Now consider: that the average Mall Santa doesn't know the ins and outs of autism, and neither does the accompanying swarm of shoppers. This is where Autism Speaks steps in, being a charity focused on building inclusive communities where Canadians with autism can reach their full potential.
"One of the ways we support is by providing a designated time, where there are less people, no music playing, dimmed lights and so on," Aldoroty explains, "The Santas (and all staff) are trained on what autism is and how to interact with a child who may experience sensory difficulties, who may have a different method of communicating, who may struggle with touch or being close to another person. They create a more comfortable environment and provide a ‘stigma free’ experience for the caregivers. They will also likely have a quiet space set up for any children that need a place to calm themselves if they get overwhelmed or overstimulated."
Sensory Friendly Santa will again bring his jolly old self to a mall near you on December 12th. You can find your closest location here. While you're attending, what should you keep in mind around a child with autism? Acton Up asked the Autism Response Team.
"Every child on the spectrum presents differently; as much as possible, take your cue from the child. For example, some children will hate being touched, some will find touch soothing, and some will only enjoy really tight hugs."
If that leaves you equally unsure, Aldoroty recommends watching the basics of autism humorously explained. Stand-up comedian Michael McCreary did that on YouTube here.
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