Christmas event tailored for children with sensory disorders

The lights were turned low, there was no music or crowds, because Sensory Santa was in town.

Filling the room instead were the sounds of holiday cheer and delighted children playing together and telling Santa their Christmas wishes at Gateway Community Center in Kalispell on Thursday.

The event, hosted by Parents, Let’s Unite for Kids (PLUK), was designed to create a comfortable environment this holiday season for children with sensory processing disorders or other disabilities, according to Cindy Holyoak, a PLUK family advocate.

Whether it’s big crowds or long lines, the hectic hustle and bustle of being in public places during the holiday season can be a headache for anyone, but for children with sensory processing disorders, this environment can leave them overwhelmed, distressed, frustrated or anxious, said event volunteer Angie Wathan. Wathan works as a chiropractor specializing in children with disabilities and serves as chairwoman of the Montana State Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Council. She learned about idea of a Sensory Santa event from a colleague and suggested PLUK organize one.

“I just thought it was a great thing that was needed,” Wathan said.

PLUK is a statewide nonprofit that serves families with children who have disabilities by providing parents with resources, information, support and training.

“We talked about how do we meet our kids’ needs and help families get through the holiday season,” Cindy said. “It’s hard if kids have sensory overload or other disabilities to participate.”

Sensory processing disorder “is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses,” according to WebMD. A person may be hypersensitive to one or multiple senses. Sight, touch, taste, smell and sound can overwhelm or be painful. Sensory processing disorder may be seen in developmental conditions like autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, for example, or result from a traumatic brain injury such as a concussion or stroke.

“We have more kids than ever before with sensory disorders,” Holyoak said.

Before Santa arrived, he was given advice in how to interact with the children, such as talking quietly if children were sensitive to sound, or letting them sit next to him if they had issues with touch.

Kalispell parent Elizabeth Cummings attended the event with her sons, 7-year-old Maxwell and 11-year-old Charlie. The brothers sat at a table eating pizza while waiting for Santa to arrive. Charlie, who has autism, knew what he wanted to say when his turn came to visit Santa.

“[I want to] tell him Merry Christmas,” Charlie said.

“Charlie loves Christmas,” Elizabeth said smiling at her son.

When it came time for his turn, he sat down and wrapped his arms around Santa’s shoulders and requested Old Saint Nick sing Christmas carols, while his mother watched on.

“Charlie loves Christmas carols,” Elizabeth said.

After a couple of carols, she told him Santa was done singing.

“He loved it,” Charlie said, walking over to a basket of fidget spinners and Play-Doh.

Events such as the Sensory Santa can also lessen stress for parents who want their children to have fun without fear during the holidays. Elizabeth said it was great to be in an environment where people understand their children may need extra time to process their surroundings and get comfortable.

In the back of the room where lights were turned on, a group of four boys sat in a circle around fidget spinners, laughing and talking. Eight-year-old Wade Fewlass said they were competing to see whose could spin the longest.

“Three, two, one, go,” Wade said.

Wade’s mother Becky said it’s not usual for her son to be so outgoing, however he was among familiar faces and friends. She said sensory processing disorder left her son terrified of many things as a young child. While different therapies have helped him, unknown or unpredictable situations may make him nervous. When she explained to him about what to expect at the Sensory Santa event, “He was really excited,” she said.

“It shows what a need there is for events like this,” Becky said.

PLUK volunteer Renae Gugler maintains a social media group for Flathead families with children who have Asperger syndrome and autism. Two years ago she organized a movie screening for children with sensory processing disorders. Renae said she had to rent out the theater to meet specific needs.

“They can’t really handle complete darkness. They need to be allowed to make noise, sing along if they wish, get up out of their seats and wiggle. So we had like the lights up a little bit and the sound down,” Renae said.

She is looking to do another sensory movie screening in the spring.

PLUK volunteer Barb Sorenson was helping out with craft activities for Sensory Santa event. Sorenson who is a retired teacher now works as a tutor and consultant providing academic support for students with special needs.

“I think it’s really important we start to bring to the forefront people’s understanding of every child is different. We know they have different learning styles, but their sensory needs are different as well,” Barb said.

For more information on PLUK visit www.pluk.org, call 406-255-0540 or email info@pluk.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.