When Seth Perrin-Murray last appeared in a BayToday article, he was using his sales techniques to help his classmates raise money for the Gathering Place.
On Sunday, 7-year-old Seth was striking a different bargain. He was giving Santa his wish list in person, something his mother, Judy Perrin said had been troublesome in the past.
"Sometimes, depending on what Seth's day is like, he can handle the noises in the mall. It depends on how busy it is. What I've found to be less tolerant, when we've come to see Santa (during regular mall hours) in the past, are the parents of the other children, said Perrin, adding that the long waits can be hard for Seth.
Enter the Sensitive Santa program. Before Northgate opened for business Sunday, families of autistic children had the opportunity to visit and have their pictures taken with Santa Claus. The music and the flickering lights remained off, allowing autistic children to focus on Santa and the magic of Christmas like their friends and family do.
Jordanna Grant, marketing director at Northgate said that sharing the space and Santa with kids who otherwise would not have the experience was a no-brainer. The Sensitive Santa initiative is just one of the many community projects that Northgate supports, but Grant says that as a mother, she is especially fond of this one.
Perrin also pointed out that a big bonus of the Sensitive Santa program is that siblings are encouraged to join in the fun. Seth and his twin sister Peyton each occupied one of Santa's knees when the time came.
Samantha Simpson, the communications coordinator for HANDS The Family Help Network, said that this is the second year of the partnership with Northgate and the Autism Ontario Northeast Chapter, although the program has been in existence for longer.
Sensitive Santa has found a good fit at Northgate and "it's really special for families," said Simpson, adding that "it's a really great opportunity for families to have appointments to see Santa and avoid the crowds."
Karen Grattan-Miscio of Autism Ontario (Northeast) clarified the benefits of the program. "Autism is a social communication disorder. Autistic children have difficulty with the little nuances of their world like recognizing facial expressions and understanding personal space," she said.
"Sometimes there are some sensory processing issues. Some autistic children, the lights are too much for them, or the sounds are too much for them. We can tune out things, but they can't manage the situation," explained Grattan-Miscio.
After a smooth visit, Seth was asked what the secret was to talking to Santa?
Seth replied, "You just have to smile."
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