Sensory-friendly Time with Santa

Around Christmas time, most kids can't wait for their chance to meet the star of the season. 

14-year old Jack Nygaard is no different. 

"So that way if you want to get Christmas presents, you have to ask him, which he's right over there, what you want to get for Christmas so that way you don't forget what to do," said Jack. 

But, that trip to see Santa can be more difficult for some families like Nygaards, with children on the Autism spectrum. 

"Some parents came to me and they said they really wanted to take their child to see Santa but the child couldn't handle all the extraneous things, the noise, the crowds, the waiting in line," said Dr. Maureen Barber-Carey, the Executive Director at the Barber National Institute.

That's why ten years ago the Barber National Institute launched a sensory Santa event.

Families with special needs children visit with Santa before the mall opens.

Read the full news story at YourErie.com