A keepsake photo of their child’s visit with Santa is a must for many parents each Christmas season. That, however, is not always possible for children with special needs.
For this reason, a Santa event that was open to the general public last December will be offered again by the county school system this year.
Sensory Santa visits will be open to the public by appointment Friday, Dec. 13, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The location is the same as last year, although the school’s name has since been changed from Ellijay Primary to Clear Creek Elementary School.
The objective of the Sensory Santa program is to provide a low-stress visit and photo opportunity for children with special sensory needs, confirmed Katrina Kingsley, pre-K director for Gilmer schools.
“Anybody who has a special needs child, even if that child is a young adult, is welcome to come. We want people who have children who are unable to make a Santa visit to know this an option for them,” Kingsley said.
Jack Senterfitt, a Cherry Log resident who was instrumental in getting the Sensory Santa program started here, dons his red and white suit for many different local and area functions around Christmastime.
“I go to the pre-K and Head Start classes the Craddock Center serves to do Santa there. I’ll be doing a Christmas party for foster children in Fannin and a party for foster children in Gilmer with the Rotary Club. I also make visits on behalf of Santa America for several terminally ill children, some of whom are in this area. I will also be visiting some nursing homes and trying to spread love, hope and joy everywhere I go,” said Senterfitt about his Santa schedule this holiday season.
A board member with Santa America, Senterfitt said additional Sensory Santa training was provided earlier this year by the nationwide volunteer organization. Santa America arranges for free, year-round Santa visits for terminally ill children and those with special needs, he added.
“This year, I participated in a national training symposium in Kansas City where we had experts in the field of childhood autism, as well as childhood PTSD and grief,” Senterfitt said. “That input was very helpful and I learned a lot. I look forward to being able to put into practice some of those things to make it a more comfortable experience for every child.”
‘I take my cues from them’
For the Sensory Santa program, several elements commonplace in most Santa photo-ops are adjusted for participating children.
“For special needs children, especially those on the autism spectrum, going to a mall or commercial establishment to visit with Santa is out of the question because of all the over-stimulation involved. The bright lights, noise and crowds are just too much for a lot of these kids,” Senterfitt said.
“In working with special needs kids, I’ve learned to never, ever make assumptions, but instead to be attentive and respond. I’ve also learned that the most important thing is to listen and take cues from the child. You pick up on certain things like some children would rather lie down on the floor and play with a toy than sit on a bench. I take my cues from them and respond accordingly.”
Kingsley described the way the photo room is set up to accommodate those needs.
“We will have it set up with low lighting. If they want to sit on Santa’s lap, they can. If they want to sit on a bench or on the floor or stand, they can do that. We’ll have some sensory items like a ball pit set up and we’ll also be giving books for each child (to take home),” she added.
Participating photographers must also take cues from the children, as well as Santa. That’s no problem, noted 24-7 Promo photographers Gena Farmer and Haley Vick, who will be capturing the photo sessions for the third year in a row.
“It’s our favorite event of the year that we do,” said Vick. “We’ve laid on the floor. We’ve gotten in ball pits with them before. We just let them do their own thing. For some kids, it doesn’t work out the first time. We let them take a minute, then come back and try it again. We enjoy the moment and just try to be in their shoes.”
Kingsley said the photographers will provide a free 4x6 photo for attending families. A CD containing all session photos can be purchased, as well, Farmer noted.
Remember to call ahead
Special sensory needs certainly applies to such conditions as autism, but also children who are blind or deaf, Senterfitt noted.
“There are several children who’ve come to Sensory Santa who are in very high tech wheelchairs and it takes their caregivers a little bit of time to get them out of the chair and put them on Santa’s lap. That’s OK. We can certainly do that,” he added.
“I have learned more sign language from a tutor. We had visits with deaf children last year and I’m looking forward to being able to communicate with sign language more this year.”
Last year’s expanded Sensory Santa program saw good attendance and those involved hope to see more families this year. The visits are open to families from Gilmer, as well as surrounding communities, Senterfitt noted.
“The response was just tremendous (last year). Almost every single one of the kids I visited with was very responsive and enjoyed it. We had good success in making them feel comfortable enough with Santa to have a visit and have some pictures taken. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be able to do it and we hope to see as many families with special needs children as we can this year. We want to make this a special time for them,” he added.
Kingsley said Sensory Santa visits will be available to children in the local school system during the first part of the day, but anyone else who wants to have a picture made during the hours of 3:30-5:30 p.m. should definitely call ahead to make an appointment.
“They need to call Clear Creek Elementary at 706- 276-5010 and ask to speak with Rhonda Brooks. She will set up a time for them to come see Santa. That way, there won’t be a big crowd with too many people trying to get in at the same time. It will be low-key and low-stress, which is the whole purpose,” she added.