Silent Santa lets kids with autism meet Santa without distractions
EDMONTON — When Santa greeted seven-year-old Kalen Boodhoo during a special photo session for children with autism at Londonderry Mall in Edmonton, he didn’t boom a hearty “Ho! Ho! Ho!”
There was no Christmas music playing and it was early on a Sunday morning, so the stores were closed, meaning there wasn’t the usual crush of holiday shoppers.
The special session, called “Silent Santa,” was all meant to avoid distracting sights, sounds and even smells that can be a problem for children on the autism spectrum.
“My dress is sparkly and pretty and people compliment about it. I really like it when people compliment about it,” said Kalen, who is seven and has Asperger’s Syndrome.