William met Father Christmas

[Lilicat]

William met Father Christmas today, which we were really apprehensive about. It went really well though so I wanted to share.

For those who don't know William is autistic and isn't keen on new people. I was debating whether to even do the Father Christmas visit this year but I thought we should give it a go. They were doing a Grotto at the library today and he loves the library so I thought we would have a better chance of success.

Despite this I thought my best case scenario would be he would ignore Father Christmas entirely but be still long enough to get a photo as long as my husband sat with him. Worse case scenario would be a huge melt down.

We warned Santa's helper in advance William was autistic and wouldn't be able to talk with him so they knew what to expect.

We went in there and William completely shocked me, he was delighted by Father Christmas. He went right up to him and gave him a big smile. He was even more delighted by the fairy lights in the Grotto.

Father Christmas was wonderful with William, when he saw we Makaton signed to William he did some signing as well. He invited William to come over and look at the Christmas lights and moved some lights over so William could see them better.

He also took it in his stride when William refused the present and managed to look horrified about being handed one He doesn't quite understand presents yet.

I can't believe it went as well as it did, it is better than I could have ever hoped. He did so well and was actually excited. It is the perfect magical Christmas memory

 

[R_x]

Wow thats great, glad he enjoyed it. The Santa we went to last year was just horrible and made no effort as my LO couldn't talk to him

 

[Donna35]

Awwww so glad it went well. Your Santa sounds like a really lovely one making the effort to make William comfortable. The bit about him signing to him just brought a lump to my throat - and reminded me of my favourite bit in the film Miracle on 34th Street where a little deaf girl meets Santa and her mother tells him he doesn't need to talk to her as she's deaf, she just wanted to see him but then Santa starts signing to the girl and the little girl's face just lights up. Gets me every time.

 

[Bid]

Awwww that's lovely, and what a nice man to go to so much effort to make it special

 

[Lilicat]

Thank you for the nice replies

Wow thats great, glad he enjoyed it. The Santa we went to last year was just horrible and made no effort as my LO couldn't talk to him

That is terrible, it is a shame you have had such a bad experience. We have been very lucky with the lovely ones with have met over the previous years and the extra special one we met today.

 

[sabby52]

Awwwwww how wonderful, Santa sounds amazing. So glad William enjoyed himself xxx

 

[emilyjade]

Thats brill news, we have had so many santa meltdowns with DS so completely understand your apprehension. Santa sounds amazing, so glad it was a positive experience x

 

[Lotty]

Awww thats lovely..Glad William Enjoyed seeing Santa x

 

[toptrump]

Aww god that brought a tear to my eye, a little thing to most people but that's like climbing Mount Everest to an autistic child, well done William, so special

 

[xprincessx]

aww hun I'm so glad William enjoyed seeing Santa, must have been such a lovely moment for you all x

 

[meldmac]

That made me tear up too what a special moment!