Santa Cares, a partnership between Autism Speaks and Cherry Hill Programs, offers free, sensory-friendly Santa visits for autistic children and their families. Visits usually happen before the mall opens and are booked by appointment. Depending on the location, they can include dimmer lighting, less noise and short waits. Santa and the staff are trained to support children with autism, including nonverbal children. Cassie Hauschildt is a mother of two autistic children and a social media manager at Autism Speaks. She found that Santa Cares let each of her children meet Santa in their own way, without pressure to pose or take part.
For families with autistic children, visiting Santa can come with challenges. Crowds, long lines, noise and bright lights can make the experience difficult, and parents may be unsure how their child will respond. For Cassie Hauschildt, Santa Cares eased those worries and helped her see that a visit with Santa could look different for each of her two children. A self-advocate and mother of two autistic children, Cassie is a social media manager at Autism Speaks.
For over a decade, Santa Cares, a partnership between Autism Speaks and Cherry Hill Programs, has helped make this holiday tradition more accessible nationwide through sensory-friendly Santa visits and specialized staff training on supporting children with autism.
Cassie said she signed up for a specific time slot for the visit. From there, she received details to help her family know what to expect, including where to enter the mall and how to get to the Santa Cares location. Having attended Santa Cares visits at a few malls, she said that each location can be a little different. Parents should review the information provided before their visit and contact the location if they have any questions.
Visits typically take place before the mall opens, helping families avoid crowds and distractions from nearby stores. Depending on the location, accommodations may include dimmer lighting, reduced noise and scheduled appointments to minimize waiting. Children may also have the option to participate in low-key activities, such as coloring. Children do not have to pose for photos with Santa. The visit is free, and purchasing a photo package is optional.
“The stores are closed, so you don't have to worry about your child running into a store. That's another concern: your child seeing something interesting, going into a store, and never even getting to Santa. With the Santa Cares experience, Santa's prepared, everyone's prepared,” Cassie said.
During Cassie’s family’s visit, candid photos were taken, allowing her son to enjoy one-on-one time with Santa without the pressure of posing.
Cassie originally decided to try Santa Cares for her son, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Crowds, noise and long lines are hard for him, which can turn a traditional Santa visit, especially at a busy mall, into a challenge. These were her key takeaways:
Through visits with Santa Cares, Cassie learned more about her son’s preferences. She discovered that he feels comfortable with Santa when he wears the traditional red suit. During one visit, however, Santa wore a green vest, and her son thought he wasn't really Santa. Small details that adults might not expect can make a difference, and families may discover these preferences over time.
Cassie’s daughter had a very different experience with Santa. She had been very afraid of people in costumes but still wanted to participate. Santa Cares made the experience easier for her. During the visit, Santa took out a book and read to her, and pictures were taken of that. By the end of the visit, Cassie’s daughter felt comfortable enough to pose for pictures with Santa, too. Parents can let their child decide how they want to experience Santa, whether that's approaching him, sitting with him or reading a book.
Having a Santa who is prepared to respond to children in different ways helped make the experience more comfortable for her family. Cassie emphasized that if a child does not want to participate, no one is going to force them. Even if a child isn't ready to participate, families can always try again another time.
Social stories can help prepare children for a Santa visit. However, Cassie explained that one benefit of Santa Cares is that families do not have to prepare extensively.
Cassie takes her own approach to preparing her children. She does not tell them about plans too far in advance in case something happens and they cannot attend. She wants to avoid getting their hopes up if, for example, one of her children is unable to go that day. Every child is different, and parents can decide how much advance notice works best for their child.
Parents may also feel less pressure to prepare their children for how to interact with Santa, knowing that staff are trained to support children with autism and their families. Cassie said that, in her experience, staff are prepared to interact with nonverbal children as well and understand that a child may be able to comprehend what is being said even if they do not communicate verbally.
“The best thing about Santa Cares is the opportunity to give them this special moment. Taking a photo with Santa is a traditional, essential moment of childhood that every child should get the chance to experience. And this experience takes the parents' worry out of it,” Cassie said. "Families who are unsure about attending don’t have to get everything right or worry about being judged if their child doesn’t participate."
For Cassie, Santa Cares provides a safe and inclusive space where children can be themselves. “I feel like parents with autistic children spend so much of their lives in fear. But this is one place you don't have to fear and you can just let your children be their authentic selves,” Cassie said.
Families interested in attending can find a participating location and reserve a visit through the Santa Cares website.