While there’s no denying that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, it’s also one of the most hectic. And while many of us enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, bright lights, crowded malls, and loud music can be overwhelming for people with autism spectrum disorder or sensory processing disorder.
But we believe that everyone deserves a wonderful Christmas and to visit with the big guy in red, and we’re thrilled to see that others agree! Over the past few years, “sensory-friendly Santa” has been making his way across malls, in an effort to give kids with special needs the chance to comfortably visit with him (and of course, tell him what they want for Christmas!).
Sensory-friendly Santa will be visiting these malls across New York state:
Aviation Mall
- Where: Queensbury, NY
- When: December 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Smith Haven Mall
- Where: Lake Grove, NY
- When: December 3, 10 & 17
- Reserve Your Spot
South Shore
- Where: Bay Shore, NY
- When: December 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Walt Whitman Shops
- Where: Huntington Station, NY
- When: December 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Boulevard Mall
- Where: Amherst, NY
- When: December 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Broadway Commons
- Where: Hicksville, NY
- When: December 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Champlain Centre
- Where: Plattsburgh, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Colonie Center
- Where: Albany, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Galleria at White Plains
- Where: White Plains, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Ridge Hill
- Where: Ridge Hill, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Palisades Center
- Where: West Nyack, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Poughkeepsie Galleria
- Where: Poughkeepsie, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Salmon Run Mall
- Where: Watertown, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Sunrise Mall (NY)
- Where: Massapequa, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
The Shops at The Plaza
- Where: New York, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Walden Galleria
- Where: Buffalo, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Destiny USA
- Where: Syracuse, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
Walden Galleria
- Where: Buffalo, NY
- When: December, 3
- Reserve Your Spot
From everyone at Spectrum Strategies, we wish you a very happy and healthy Christmas and holiday season!