Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Layton Hills Mall holds its last Sensory Sunday event this Sunday from 10:30-11:30 a.m.
- Sensory Sundays are an opportunity for children with sensory processing disorders, autism spectrum disorders or other sensory issues to meet with Santa
- Experts and parents note activities like Sensory Sundays are beneficial for children and parents.
LAYTON — James Riddle, 6, of Ogden, remembers very well the first time he went to see Santa at the mall. It did not go well.
"This was back when I was a little kid, but I still remember," he said. "I had a tantrum. I was yelling and marching. It was so loud, and I did not like all the lights and all the people. I didn't want to see Santa anymore."
James' mom, Katherine Kennedy, knew her son struggled with external stimuli — sounds, lights and physical touch, especially — and was told he has sensory processing disorder. He had prior episodes at home and in school, but once he had the tantrum at the mall, she wondered if going to see Santa was just something her son would be unable to do.
She found an answer at Layton Hills Mall.
For the first time, the mall, which was purchased by Second Horizon Capital in August, organized and hosted what it called "Sensory Sundays." Described as a special time for children who need limited sensory exposure to meet with Santa, the mall on these Sundays welcomed children with sensory disorder, autism spectrum disorder and others who need a quieter space to enjoy their time.
"When I heard about this, I was ready to take James and his brother (who has been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder) and, at the very least, check it out," Kennedy said. "I didn't bring them this time. But based on what I saw, we'll head out there, and they can hopefully have a good time with Santa."
The new owners of Layton Hills Mall see community connections as essential to making an impact. While it is true they do hope to make a profit and have shoppers visit again and again — Layton Hills is a mall, after all — leaders do not see this goal as separate from building positive community relationships. You can have both, their corporate leaders believe, if you provide people with what they would like.
These special Sundays have taken place so far through December and will be held for the final time this year on this coming Sunday, Dec. 15.
The families have a specifically designated time for them to visit Santa before the mall opens, the overhead music is turned off, and they can still get a picture, if that's what the children want. There are also stations where they can write letters to Santa.
"I can promise you that this is a company who cares," said Heather Dustin, from Layton Hills Mall. "Every family that has attended has been very appreciative, and this is good to know. We want to know that we're doing something the community enjoys."
Researchers across the country have noted that quintessential holiday events allow children who are often seen as different from their peers to have something in common with them. This has been one of the primary benefits.
But events like Sensory Sundays also benefit parents.
If done well, parents can use the time to give their children a little independence by letting them decide what they want to do and how long they want to do it, as well as choose when it is time to go home.
But these events also provide parents with the opportunity to see their children do what they themselves probably did as children, as well — and give them an opportunity to connect with their youngsters.
"I used to imagine what it would be like to do all these things with my kid, and it was sad to think we wouldn't do any of it," Kennedy said. "Then I realized what we can do will just look different than what I had. And that's OK. If they're having fun, it will be OK."
