Latrobe City Council Libraries have been offering Sensitive Santa sessions from the Moe and Morwell branches for the first time over the past week.
The response from the community has been beyond expectations.
Latrobe City Council Mayor, Cr Sharon Gibson, said the sessions were designed to provide a quiet, gentle introduction to Santa for children with sensory needs.
“Most Santa meet and greets take place in noisy shopping centres with bright colours and lights and lots of background distractions. For some children, particularly those with sensory needs or conditions such as autism, it can be too much. But why should they miss out?” she said.
“Our Sensitive Santa sessions are private and take place in a quiet setting away from the rest of the library goings-on. The child guides the pace, only doing what they want to do. There is no requirement for photos or talking or anything that makes the child uncomfortable.”
The sessions were developed after consultation with Council’s access and inclusion officer and information from other Victorian libraries who’d delivered the program previously provided resources and advice.
“Families who have had their session have been so thankful that the library team has given their children the opportunity to do what most children want to do at Christmas – meet Santa, but in a way that caters to their specific needs,” Cr Gibson said.
From Latrobe City Libraries’ Facebook page:
“We just did this and was fantastic. It’s a Mrs Claus. Well worth doing.”
There are few more sessions available at Moe and Morwell Library. For more information, visit www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/Library/events/Sensitive_Santa or visit the library to book.