Events for Children with Disabilities During the Holiday Break

Most parents who have a child with autism or other sensory sensitivities would love for their child to experience sitting on Santa’s lap and snapping a photo of it for the family. The atmosphere of a shopping mall is chaotic around the holiday season, which makes it difficult for children with special needs to enjoy their experience with Santa. Luckily, there are multiple disability camps, workshops and events happening in the Greater Boston area to help make these holiday moments more calm and magical for these children.

For instance, Sensitive Santa is a program that avoids the waiting in lines and creates a quiet and calm atmosphere for the kids. While each child is waiting for their turn with Santa they are offered pastries and juice, while watching a movie or playing with crafts. Sensitive Santa, John Pettingill, is a therapist at Touchstone Behavioral Health. He mentions how moving slowly and quietly assures the children that he’s safe. He greets them with a ho, ho, ho rather than a HO, HO, HO for their sensitive hearing, because the loud noises can cause jumpiness and fear.

SPED Child & Teen is another great program, which includes many special needs recreations and events in Massachusetts.There are sensory, friendly movies, which play at AMC Theater. This season’s movies include The Good Dinosaur, Star Wars The Force Awakens, The Hunger Games: MockingJay Part 2 and many more. There is also the North Pole Express, sponsored by the Scituate CORSE Foundation and SHORE. This event happens only once a year, and gives children with special needs the chance to experience a relaxing journey to “The North Pole” replicating The Polar Express story. The train ride includes singing Christmas carols, hot chocolate, cookies and a reading of the story. Some events even include performances in ASL (American Sign Language) interpreted. December performances include The Polar Express and Black Nativity.

SPED Child & Teen has a calendar full of additional events such as basketball, floor hockey, jiu jitsu, museum dates, holiday parties and autism and sensory friendly performances. This calendar is currently scheduled out until the month of April. It is a great source to utilize, to help find relaxing and fun events for children with disabilities during the holiday break. These events and programs help children with autism and other sensory sensitivities enjoy a calm and enjoyable experience throughout the holidays.  

Tayla M.

Boston Tutoring Services