Northern Neck Times

Marking 10 magical years, Sensitive Santa is a memorable gift for children with disabilities and their families

With eyes wide open, several children and families walk into a winter wonderland. Surrounded by presents and decorated trees, they spot the big man in red sitting just steps away.

“What do you want for Christmas, Ethan?” the Legendary Santa asks.

“DinoTrux!” Ethan Guthrie, 14, exclaims, with his mom, Tami, and older sister, Heather, in tow.  

“I’ll do my best to bring that for you and many other presents, but I want you to do something for me,” he says, with a twinkle in his eyes. “Be a good boy for your parents and know that I love you with all my heart.” 

The Guthries, of Henrico County, are one of about 50 families who met Santa on a brisk evening in early December at one of the Sensitive Legendary Santa events at the Children’s Museum of Richmond (CMoR). It’s an annual tradition for the family, especially since Ethan loves Christmas. He sometimes leaves out cookies for Santa at different times of the year, awaiting his arrival.

They used to visit Santa when the lines were jam packed and would wait for two to three hours to see him. That environment made Ethan feel uncomfortable. He is diagnosed with FOXP1, a genetic condition that results in autism, intellectual disabilities and developmental delays. Some of the clinical services he receives are through the VCU Health System. 

“The pictures we have before Sensitive Santa – my poor brother – he is crying,” Heather Guthrie, 22, explained. “It was definitely not a great experience for us because it was so hectic.” 

As part of the Legendary Santa experience at CMoR, several events are offered with a sensory-friendly atmosphere called Sensitive Santa nights. The music and lights are toned down, and there’s a cool-down room available for little ones who may get overstimulated by the holiday hoopla. It’s all done to ensure children with disabilities can still experience the magic of Santa Claus. 

“There's a couple of families we just see again and again,” said Carole Ivey, Ph.D., chair of the Occupational Therapy Department at the Virginia Commonwealth University College of Health Professions, who has been heavily involved with Sensitive Santa nights since their inception. “This is their holiday tradition, and this is a meaningful part of their life that they can't just go to the regular Legendary Santa. They can't go to a typical mall Santa who doesn't know how to interact with them or understand their behaviors, or understand how to talk with them. And [CMoR’s] Legendary Santa is the real Santa, and he knows how to do that.” Families also have more time with Sensitive Santa, which helps children feel more comfortable and less rushed. Santa, who in another life was a principal at several elementary schools and special needs centers in the region, said many parents shared with him over the years that their kids had a tough time taking pictures with Santa. He’s been part of the Sensitive Santa nights from the start, in 2013. “I’ll never forget the first year, we had parents crying because they had pictures with Santa,” he said. “If you have ever seen a severely autistic child or a child who has disabilities and uses a wheelchair – they don’t get pictures with Santa. They don’t get to do some of the stuff so many children get to do and take for granted.”Carole Ivey, Ph.D., poses with the inaugural group of volunteers for Sensitive Legendary Santa nights at the Children’s Museum of Richmond in 2013. (Carole Ivey)

Ethan Guthrie plays with a snowman activity set up by VCU students Morgan Kazelski and Sheridan Conner. This is one of several activities created by former occupational therapy students. (Tom Kojcsich, VCU Enterprise Marketing and Communications)

Original source can be found here