SPECIAL ‘Sensitive Santa’ sessions are being held at the Carrum Downs Lyrebird Community Centre to cater for autistic and other special needs children.
Sensitive Santa, also known as John Zammit, said the bright lights and excited sounds which are usually some of the most-loved features of Christmas, could be frightening and confusing for autistic children.
“Having seen the way some children get scared of the usual Santa photo sittings, which can be overwhelming, I thought we should do a Santa sitting that is more low-key and meets the needs of those families,” he said.
Mr Zammit said the service allows families with a child on the autism spectrum to have a photo with Sensitive Santa in a private space in the centre’s cockatoo room, without the usual hustle and bustle of crowds and queues.
A portion of photo fees are donated to Autism Spectrum Australia.