A Santa Clause working for Okanagan Santa, an organization that hosts silent Santa's in Kelowna for kids with sensory sensitivities.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Okanagan Santa
November 06, 2023 - 7:30 AM
Christmas is around the corner with all its busy crowds, bright lights and music and while for most the energy and commotion around the season is anticipated with excitement, for others it can cause sensory overload.
Children with sensory sensitivities can miss out on these memorable events if quiet spaces and inclusive opportunities are not made available to them and their families.
“Inclusive events provide opportunities for not only the kids with diversities to experience typical kid experiences but they also provide opportunities for their siblings and parents to experience them too,” said Vernon resident Angela Epp who has two children with autism. “So often the needs of one sibling shadows their sibling’s ability to attend special events, depriving the whole family of those moments and memories.”
Epp and her children recently enjoyed trick-or-treating at the Village Green mall in Vernon where the noise and crowds were kept at a minimum while merchants gave out goodies. She is hoping to see more of these kinds of inclusive opportunities open up.
“Finding opportunities that specifically accommodate the unique needs of autistic and diverse kids can be a challenge,” she said. “We’re very lucky to have a local chapter of the 'in Girls club' in Vernon where the organizer creates amazing events for girls with diversities to get together and do activities including a quiet visit with Santa. More awareness and consideration to make existing opportunities sensory friendly would be great.”
Sensory overload is a type of sensory processing disorder that can happen when the body becomes overstimulated to the point of causing distress. It is a term commonly associated with autism but happens with other disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, according to an article by VeryWellHealth.
The overload can cause anxiety, fear, irritability, muscle tension and rapid breathing to name a few uncomfortable sensations, and in some cases the sufferer can self-harm.
Persistent sounds, sights such as flickering lights, heavy smells and textures can trigger the response. People diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder can have delicate sensory systems and many are unable filter out environmental stimuli.
“Every child is unique, and their ideal environment equally as diverse,” Epp said. “Our son for example gets over stimulated easily by sounds, lights, and ‘people noises’ as he says. He has limited patience for line ups, and when he is done he is done, which creates a fight or flight scenario. Our daughter doesn’t like to be touched, confined by crowded spaces and is more easily irritated by textures and smells. I think that’s the challenge in creating these events.”
There are a few sensory friendly opportunities this Christmas season in Kamloops and the Okanagan.
The Aberdeen Mall in Kamloops is now open for registration for the annual Silent Santa event where families can visit Old Saint Nick after the mall closes to avoid becoming overwhelmed by holiday distractions. Visits are available from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 and 22 and registration is mandatory. Contact Guest Services at 250-374-3400 to reserve a spot.
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Okanagan Santa is offering a private Santa experience by appointment at the District Mall in downtown Kelowna at 564 Bernard Ave. from Nov. 25 to Dec. 24.
“This year's magical backdrop transports you to a classic Christmas scene within Santa's charming study,” reads the website. “Picture a warm fireplace crackling, a beautifully adorned Christmas tree, and a delightful animated view of snowflakes gently cascading outside the windows behind you.”
There will also be an opportunity to get photos with the Grinch in a “quiet little spot.”
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The BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops hosts a sensory friendly evening during their annual Christmas Wildlights display. No music is played and there is a designated quiet space available. Sensory kits are available that include noise-cancelling headphones, visual supports, sensory toys and a park map. This year’s dates have not been released yet.
Do you know of any sensory-friendly Christmas holiday events in your city? Let everyone know in the comments below.
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