Sandra O’Brien has seen the rise of autism cases firsthand over the past few years, and how even the simplest things that so many take for granted can become so very complex.
During the Christmas season, one such example is a visit to see Santa Claus; for children with special needs that can be quite challenging for themselves and their families. Recently, though, a special event catered specifically to those needs, and for many families it ushered in a happier holiday.
The second annual Sensory Santa event took place in St. Charles Parish on Dec. 2. Hosted by Caring Strategies, the event included no loud noises or long waits in line and there was sensory-trained staff and sensory materials available to entertain patrons.
Caring Strategies is a local non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources to children with and without developmental disabilities, and other special needs. The organization serves hundreds of individuals and their families annually and is largely supported by United Way St. Charles. The goal is to help children with sensory challenges have a joyful Santa experience by providing an environment that helps the child feel safe and secure.
“When children have sensory issues, they have a hard time waiting in line for Santa, with everything going on around them,” said O’Brien, the director of Caring Strategies. “The noise, the crowd at the mall. This is a small event. They get to see Santa Claus one-on-one. We give them games, activities, refreshments and snacks. We hope to be able to do this every year.”
Caring Strategies hosts many events throughout the year, but Sensory Santa has quickly become the largest.
O’Brien is a developmental therapist who works with children ages 0-3.
“In the last five years, I’ve seen the rise of autism and families express to us that there’s just so much unknown for them,” said O’Brien. “From working first-hand with them, we thought it would be a good time to create a social event, to try and have play groups and sensory events because they don’t have to be isolated. This was a way to put it all together.
“There are a lot of people who don’t know what it’s all about – if you don’t have a sensory issue, it’s hard for people to grasp. It’s very complex. The children look fine, like anyone else, but they’re going through something. Even something like going to Walmart, that can be too much, too overwhelming.”
When children arrived for the event, they were broken into groups and prepared for what was upcoming at each step. For children who needed it, certain sensory materials were supplied, be it sunglasses for light sensitivity or earmuffs to block out noise if there’s an aversion to sound.
Last year, Destrehan mother Sarah Zafirau reached out to O’Brien and pitched the idea after visiting a similar event in Chalmette with her son Henry, who is autistic.
For more information on donating, volunteering or registering for the Santa event, email Caring Strategies at caringstrategies@aol.com or visit www.caringstrategies.net. The organization also runs a Facebook page, which helps to keep the community up to date on all events.
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