A quiet, stress-free place to hang with St. Nick
 
Oringally Published November 21, 2011
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 
By Molly Born

Santa greets Craig Coulson, 4, as his father Don, of Charleroi, watches Sunday at the Santa ABOARD for a quieter chance for children with autism to be with Santa at Ross Park Mall.

For many families, visiting Santa Claus at the local mall is a festive start to the holiday season.

Leslie Reitmeyer of South Park remembers taking her son, Kenny, to sit on Santa's lap when he was just 8 months old.

But the noise, long lines and frenetic energy of the mall this time of year spelled disaster for Kenny, who is autistic.

"It's tough for him," Ms. Reitmeyer said, recalling that day with tears in her eyes.

There were no loud, unruly crowds for Kenny, now 7, on Sunday at the Ross Park Mall, where he participated in Autism Friendly Santa Time.

The two-hour event designed for children with autism or related disorders minimized the sights and sounds at the mall that are often too intense and stimulating for them, said Luciana Randall, executive director of the Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders, which organized the event at two local malls.

Instead of waiting in long lines, families received numbered tickets and were called up two or three families at a time. During the wait, the kids colored, sang songs, played games and walked around the mall.

Ross Park officials turned off the music, halted the escalators and ensured stores were shuttered for the night to accommodate the children and their families, said mall marketing director Michael Gianoutsos.

Ms. Randall said 48 groups brought children to the event Sunday night, a little more than the first session Nov. 13 at the Monroeville Mall.

Santa had a few accommodations to make, too. Ms. Randall said he was asked to sit, wait and listen to each child and avoid using a booming voice.

"I don't think we're going to hear loud ho-hos," she said.

Shaler North Hills librarian Ingrid Kalchthaler, a former youth pastor who has worked with children for 20 years, read books and sang songs with the children while they romped around on a foam mat and waited for their number to be called.

"We love to do something tailored to those who learn in different ways," she said.

After all, she said, "What's normal?"

Members of Ross Park management team and additional people from a photography company also volunteered.

Susan and Steven Wagner of Wexford said their son, Ryan, enjoyed sitting on Santa's lap. "You don't want the world to stop for your kids," Ms. Wagner said, but it's important for people to understand the inherent challenges autistic children face.

"When it's not custom-fit for these kids, it's absolutely horrific," she said.

Chris Puleo of Green Tree patted 3-year-old son Michael on the head and told him he was really proud of him for sitting on Santa's lap. Though he was a bit squeamish and teary-eyed at first, Michael made it through the photo and was awarded a candy cane at the end.

Michael's mother, Jennifer, said the event was ideal for parents, too.

"Just to be around other people who are going through the same thing," she said. "I think more people should do this."