Special Santa events for autistic children, pet-lovers planned at mall

Las Cruces Sun-News - 12/7/2019

Dec. 7--CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE

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Children with autism spectrum disorder will have a chance to visit with Santa Claus in a more subdued and calm environment Sunday morning at Mesilla Valley Mall. (Photo: Sun-News file photo)

LAS CRUCES -- Children with autism spectrum disorder will have a chance to visit with Santa Claus in a more subdued and calm environment Sunday morning at Mesilla Valley Mall.

A separate event, scheduled for Sunday evening, will give pet-lovers an opportunity to have their pet's photo taken with Santa.

'The needs of all children'

The Sensory-Friendly Santa event, hosted in cooperation with AutismSpeaks.org, will provide families with children who have autism and other special needs an opportunity to visit Santa outside of the mall's normal business hours.

"It's really important to us to accommodate the needs of all children, and to make them feel comfortable," said Mesilla Valley Mall Marketing Manager Susan Palmer.

Autistic children often experience sensory issues. Since 2013, the American Psychiatric Association has included sensory issues -- including hypersensitivity (over-responsiveness) and hyposensitivity (under-responsiveness) -- as possible symptoms to help diagnose autism.

These frequently include sensitivities to sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touch. People with autism may also experience problems with balance and body awareness, according to AustismSpeaks.org.

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Mesilla Valley Mall's Mall Drive entrance, February 28, 2019. (Photo: Algernon D'Ammassa/Sun-News)

An appreciative mother

Myrna Trujillo, president of Hearts for Autism Las Cruces, is also the mother of a 10-year-old boy with autism. She is planning on taking her son, Damian, on Sunday.

"I think it's an amazing opportunity," Trujillo said of the Sensory-Friendly Santa event.

Trujillo said that, for children with special sensory needs, a busy place like the mall -- particularly during the holidays -- can be overwhelming.

"You don't know if it's going to be too loud or too crowded for them," Trujillo said. "As a parent, you don't know how they're going to react. An event like this can really reduce stress for the entire family."

If not for events like these, Trujillo said many parents might opt to forego the time-honored tradition.

"It's an experience we shouldn't withhold from our children," she said. "I think it's a relief that parents know they can go and take the time necessary to have a picture taken. I'm just ecstatic. I can think of 20 or 30 families who would probably have not gone had this not taken place."

Trujillo said sensory-friendly events also help create community awareness. Raising awareness through public events like this can also lead other parents to better identify the needs of a child who may be autistic but undiagnosed.

She also urged members of the community to practice patience while running their holiday errands.

"If you do see a child having a 'temper tantrum,' be supportive of parents," she said. "Because you don't know what needs that child may have, and oftentimes the parent is doing the best they can."

Additional resources for families affected by autism are available through the New Mexico Autism Society online at nmautismsociety.org.

Reservations required

The Sensory-Friendly Santa event will take place from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sunday. While the event is free, space is limited. Families wishing to participate must reserve a time slot by visiting https://www.autismspeaks.org/events. Only one ticket per family is required. Photo packages that capture holiday memories will also be available for purchase at the event. Attendees are asked to use the Cineport 10 entrance.

'Paws & Claus' and 'Breakfast with Santa'

Pet-lovers are invited to bring their furry, four-legged family members to the mall's annual Paws & Claus event for a photo with Santa. Paws & Claus will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The event is free and open to the public; photo packages will be available for purchase.

Mall officials request that those attending with pets -- dogs and cats only -- enter and exit through the Cineport 10 entrance, which is nearest to Santa's location.

Each Saturday morning through Dec. 21, the mall is also hosting Breakfast with Santa. Tickets are $10, and are available in the mall office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. One ticket includes admission for one child (12 and under) and an accompanying adult.

Each child receives breakfast provided by Chick-fil-A, a goodie bag, T-shirt and a chance to win prizes and a Santa sack filled with toys. Adult breakfasts are available for $6 at Chick-fil-A.

Children can take photos with Santa from noon to 7 p.m. daily at the mall.

More information about all upcoming events is available on the Mesilla Valley Mall Facebook page.

Damien Willis is a Lead Reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He can be reached at 575-541-5443, dwillis@lcsun-news.com or @DamienWillis on Twitter.

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