FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

December 4, 2012

Contacts:

Aundréa Cika                                                                 Christa Blasko                                      

Director, Mahoning Valley Office                                      Marketing Director

Autism Society of Ohio                                                   Eastwood Mall Complex

acika@autismohio.org                                                                     marketingdirector@eastwoodmall.com

330-646-4082                                                                 330-652-6980 ext. 31508

“Sensitive Santa” to Visit Eastwood Mall

Sensory-sensitive Santa makes holiday tradition enjoyable for kids with special needs

Visiting with Santa Claus each Christmas season is a rite of passage for many children. But for those with autism and others highly sensitive to noise, light and sound the process can be overwhelming.  For the first time, the Autism Society of the Mahoning Valley and the Eastwood Mall have collaborated to offer a special holiday photo event on Sunday, December 16, 2012 from 9 - 11 AM in the main concourse.  Designed for children and young adults with special needs and their families, this will be an opportunity to have their photo taken with a caring Santa in a calmer, sensory-friendly environment.

“For one day, we will open up early, turn off the holiday lights and music and help kids meet Santa on their terms,” says Christa Blasko, Marketing Director at the Eastwood Mall Complex. Blasko points out the program is modeled after a Sensitive Santa program started in 2008 by a mall in Dayton, but this is the first time it has been offered to the public in the Mahoning Valley. “There will be no lines, no crowds, no music, but lots of fun!”

 “This modified environment is set up to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of kids with all abilities,” says Aundréa Cika, Director of the Mahoning Valley Office of the Autism Society of Ohio.  For individuals on the autism spectrum, for example, being surrounded by the standard holiday loud music, bright lights and crowds of people can be a horrible experience for both the child and his parents. In addition, since many of children are nonverbal, communicating with the Jolly Old Elf can also be a challenge.

To address these issues, guests are encouraged to sign up in advance and reserve a spot to limit the wait time.  Trained “elves” will be on hand to play games and provide other activities while the children wait to see Santa. Santa Claus knows these friends prefer quiet so he speaks in a soft and gentle voice. There is even a get-to-know-you form that parents can fill out so the Big Guy knows what kids are thinking if they don’t want to tell him.

The event is free and professional photo packages will be available for purchase through the standard photo operator.  Reservations are limited for this event.  Please RSVP at www.autismohio.org/mahoningvalley.  For more information, please call 330-746-4082.

The Eastwood Mall Complex has been serving the people of northeast Ohio since 1969.  It is located at 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, in Niles, Ohio.  For extended holiday hours and more information, visit online at www.eastwoodmall.com.

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