21 Autism-Friendly Christmas Santas, Shops, and Shows

The holiday season may have some quirks when celebrating with a child with autism. Ads showing happy children gleefully opening and playing with age-appropriate toys, surrounded by beaming family members, may be a reminder that things are different for an autistic child. Every shopping venue blasting holiday music, every line of kids waiting for Santa's lap, every party invitation, and every Facebook ad for a holiday event "for kids" can feel overwhelming.

While many do not intend to exclude autistic children and their loved ones, that does not mean it never occurs. Until recently, most people (family included), considered a child with autism a mystery. What do they need? What do they want? Why won't they join in, come play, enjoy this new food?

Fortunately, for those of us with autism in the family, though, our numbers (and financial worth) are now significant enough to warrant attention. Retailers, malls, performance venues, and even some restaurants are starting to seriously consider the needs of people with autism (and others with related issues such as sensory dysfunction). As a result, they are creating autism-friendly and/or "sensory-friendly" hours and events to make it easier for families to get out and enjoy the season.

Autism-Friendly Santas

Let's face it, it's not just autistic kids who find the idea of standing in line for a half-hour to sit in "Santa's" lap difficult, confusing, and even upsetting. While it's a tradition that many families love, it can also be a bit traumatic. In recent years, a number of organizations and individuals have found ways to keep the tradition without the trauma—specifically for kids on the spectrum. Here are a few such options:

Caring Santa at Simon Malls

If you're hoping for a magical Christmas experience (and photo) with Santa for an autistic child, check into Caring Santa at Simon Malls across the US. According to Autism Speaks, partnering with Simon Property Group, Inc. and the Noerr Programs Corporation in association with AbilityPath, "Caring Santa is an opportunity to connect with multitudes of families that have children with autism and other disabilities, providing a more controlled and welcoming environment to visit Noerr’s Santa Photo Experience!" This is a reservation-based program, so call ahead.

While Autism Speaks does have the largest Caring Santa program in the United States, it is important to note they have received pushback from many autistic community members and mental health organizations.

Sensory Santa in the US and Australia

Sensory Santa is a little less commercial—and he seems to be showing up at venues across the United States and Australia (and most likely in other locations as well). Eden Prairie Minnesota, Boise Idaho, and Queensland Australia are three such venues. Search online for a local event—and if you don't find "sensory Santa," try "sensitive Santa" who seems to be a close relation!

Macy's in Herald Square, New York

Yes, this is the Macy's where the Miracle on 34th Street takes place, which may be why they partnered with Autism Speaks for a special autism-friendly event. Autistic kids were invited to come before the official store opening, making the event quieter, less crowded, and less stressful. It's not clear whether or when this will happen again—but give them a call and ask!

Santa America

Santa America is a non-profit that trains Santa portrayers to work with people with disabilities. They can train your local Santa portrayer, or send a member of their organization to your venue. They charge no fee.

Autism-Friendly Holiday Shows and Venues

Not surprisingly, non-profits and arts organizations tend to be more autism-aware than most for-profit businesses. That's probably why a huge range of sensory-friendly Christmas productions have popped up in recent years. But some corporations are also reaching out to make entertainment more accessible for people on the spectrum; AMC theaters have been providing sensory-friendly, first-run movie nights for years!

The Nutcracker

There is no live show so quintessentially Christmassy than The Nutcracker—but sitting still and quiet through a full-length ballet can be challenging for any kid. For parents or guardians of kids with autism, the idea of attending a ballet can be overwhelming. But ballet companies across the US and beyond are absolutely dedicated to the idea that ballet and autism CAN mix—and they've created shorter, more sensory-friendly versions of the ballet to entice families to give it a try.

Here are just a few of the companies that have offered autism-friendly performances of the ballet (along with links for more info; an online search with your town's name will likely turn up something local if you can't find it here):

• Boston's "Urban Nutcracker"
• California Ballet in San Diego
• The Cincinnati Ballet
• The Colorado Conservatory of Dance
• The Pittsburgh Ballet

A Christmas Carol

Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, three Christmas ghosts...and a story of redemption. It's classic Dickens, and it's produced at Christmas at every professional and community theater across the English speaking world. Want an autistic child to see the show? If so, check out one of these many autism-friendly productions: 

• Hanover Theater, Worcester, Massachusetts
• Hartford Stage, Hartford, Connecticut
• Great Lakes Theater, Cleveland, Ohio
• Playhouse Theater, Cleveland, Ohio
• Shakespeare Tavern Theater, Atlanta, GA
• Trinity Rep Theater, Providence, RI
• Flynn Theater, Burlington, VT

Autism-Friendly Holiday Shopping in the UK and US

Holiday shopping is notorious for crowds, noise, and frustration—especially when shopping for anything kid-related. In other words, it's about as autism UN-friendly as anything could possibly be. But the experience of sitting on Santa's lap, looking at glittering Christmas decorations, and picking presents for friends and family have become major holiday happenings for many families.

Now that families with autistic members have become relatively common, retailers are taking notice. JC Penney, for example, offered a special sensory-friendly back to school event in Dallas and Target has offered sensory-friendly shopping hours in some locations. Here are a couple of other options to know about:

Scottish Mall Staff Provided With Autism Training

intu Braehead, a shopping center in Glasgow, Scotland, has provided its entire staff with autism training. According to the Scottish Autism website, "Staff at intu Braehead in Glasgow have been given specialist training by Scottish Autism to make the shopping experience more comfortable for people with autism...Retailers participated by turning off music and any flashing lights to create a quieter and calmer atmosphere in the center and make the environment less overwhelming for people with autism."

Leominster, Mass. Declares Itself an Autism-Friendly City

The Leominster Autism Project says, "We are pleased to announce that The Mall at Whitney Field is partnering with the City of Leominster in Massachusetts as they become the first truly "autism -friendly" city in the world." According to the Mall at Whitney Fields website, "The mall is preparing to host several sensory friendly events as well as sensory friendly shopping nights where participating stores will be asked to dim their lights and lower their music so that our differently-abled shoppers may enjoy a more comfortable shopping environment."

Creating Events in Your Own Location

If you don't happen to live within a quick drive of autism or sensory-friendly holiday happenings—or they are taking place at times that don't work—what can you do? As mentioned, the autism community has grown, which means that people (and their friends with autistic children) are starting to have some power to make change.

Here are some suggestions for creating or bringing autism-friendly events and programs to one's local area:

• Collaborate with autism support organizations in your area to create or bring a program in. While it may be tough to create something for one or two families, the power of numbers can make all the difference. Tell a shopping center or performing venue that you can guarantee a full house for a sensory-friendly event and chances are they will work hard to make it happen!
• Work with smaller organizations to create sensory-friendly opportunities. It may not be possible to get the Chicago Ballet to go autism-friendly (though who knows? they may be willing!)—but it's very likely that your local ballet school would be delighted to invite autistic audience members to their version of the Nutcracker!
• Create your own events. Consider getting some Santa training from Santa America, write a social story, find a large space, decorate it, and send out invitations via support groups and Facebook. Voila, you've created an autism-friendly Christmas event.
• Consider hosting a non-live event. Many kids with autism, even those who have a hard time with malls and theaters, are able to attend events like a half-hour big-screen presentation of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" along with cocoa and cookies. Events like this are easy to put together and cost very little to create.

NOTE: Many so-called autism-friendly and sensory-friendly events, while they are intended to be fully inclusive, are not. Yes, many people with autism do benefit significantly from quieter, shorter, less formal, less crowded versions of typical experiences. But a large percentage of people with autism are not able to participate because of severe behavioral and/or cognitive challenges that make such experiences inaccessible despite the best efforts of community members.