Ottawa·Video

Quiet time with Santa a gift all its own for children with autism

For children with autism, a visit to the mall at Christmas time can be sensory overload. That's why three Ottawa shopping centres opened their doors early this weekend.

Children with autism get Santa time

10 years ago
Duration 2:08
Away from the crowds and loud noises, children with autism get a chance to make their Christmas wishes.

For children with autism, a visit to the mall at Christmas time can be sensory overload. That's why three Ottawa shopping centres opened their doors this weekend — in  some cases early — to allow special visits with Santa.  

The organization QuickStart-Early Intervention for Autism set up three one-hour sessions for children on the autism spectrum in Ottawa over the weekend: one at the St. Laurent Shopping Centre on Saturday and one hour each at the Rideau Centre and Hazeldean Mall on Sunday.

And as Ashley Burke reports in the video above, the experience of a stress-free meeting with Santa Claus was a joy for both the children and their parents.