Silent Santa: Children with autism enjoy quiet, calm visit with St. Nick

Kim Belislenormally wouldn't be in ashopping centrewith her children around Christmas, but Sunday morning was different.

Kim and her husband Denis were at LondonderryMall with their boys Luke and Zachfor a special Silent Santa visit organized by Autism Edmonton.

The event was a chance for about 40 children living with autism to enjoy time with Santa in a quiet and sensory-friendly environment.

• 'Really joyful:' Silent Santahelps kids with autism meet Father Christmas

"It's a lovely experience because normally we wouldn't attempt a mall for the sounds and all the sensory experiences," Kim said.

Luke has autism and for him, visiting Santa under normal conditions "would just be sensory overload," his mother said.

"It could mean just not being able to cope at all lots of screaming and yelling and not being physically able to be in that environment. Or sometimes Luke will just absolutely shut down and it's like he's not there it's just too much for him."

This is the second year Autism Edmonton has put on Silent Santa.Sunday's event started at 9 a.m. before the stores opened and wrapped up before 11 a.m.

"The mall turns down the noise, they keep the lightsat a minimum, " said Brooke Pinsky,a support services manager with the organization.

Comforting environment

"The children's familiesare able to make an appointmentso the children don't have to wait in line quite as long, and it generally makes for a much more positive meaningful experience with Santa," Pinsky said.

Large crowds, loud noises, and bright lights cancause anxiety for children with autism.

This was the second yearthatthe Belisleshave attended Silent Santa.

"It's just a wonderful experience to beable to give them a chance to be just an everyday kid and to be able to enjoy the same things that all kids do," Kim said.

For Carlton Clark and his family, Sunday'svisit was a first. Clark's son Cael, 8, has autism and the family is adapting to his needs.

'To keep him settled is the main thing'

Clark was able to set up an appointment and get his son in to visit Santa within a couple of minutes, much different than a visit during regular mall hours.

"To keep him settled is the main thing, and [with] this we could get in and waited, like, two minutes or so ... it was great, " he added.

Nancy Jarnevic, retail manager for LondonderryMall, said every child should have a visit to remember with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

"A lot of these families, this is the very first time they've had the chance to bring their children to see Santa because it's too stressful with all the lights, the music, the crowds the waiting in long lines," Jarnevicsaid.

"So with this event we're able to have a special appointment for the families that require it and they can have that special memory with Santa."

LondonderryMall is hosting other Silent Santa events onDec. 9 and 16.

Anyone interested can contact the mall administration to make an appointment to visit between 9 a.m. and 10:50 a.m.