2:41PM EST December 12. 2012 - MESA, Ariz. — Reece Gonzalez visited Santa for the first time this year, and he was so frightened of the guy with the cascading white beard that the 5-year-old didn't sit on his lap.
To see Sensitive Santa, a program that several groups across the country have introduced to help kids and their parents, children aren't forced to wait in lines, and the environment is quiet and calm. While they're waiting their turn, they can play with crafts in a room stocked with cookies, cupcakes and juice. A movie plays in the craft room, as well.
Sensitive Santa, aka therapist John Pettingill of Touchstone Behavioral Health, said he moves slowly and quietly.
"With the children's jumpiness and sensitivity to loud noise ... it's not HO, HO, HO, but ho, ho, ho," said Pettingill, who extends his hand to the children and tries to reassure them he's safe.
He gets requests for Xboxes and especially puppies for Christmas, but he never makes promises, saying instead that he'll do the best he can or that he'll talk to their parents.
Pettingill said playing Santa is rewarding and gratifying.
"I'm the biggest Grinch in the world, but to see the little boys and girls happy is great," he said. "Unfortunately, Christmas has become so commercialized. Here we see the kids happy."
One of two men dressed as elves, prevention specialist/interventionist Jonathan Tummavichakul, said the Sensitive Santa project has grown since it began in the Phoenix area three years ago.
"We've seen families in tears, thanking us for this opportunity," he said. "Otherwise, they'd never have a chance to have a picture taken with Santa. Every kid deserves that opportunity."
He said autistic children are misunderstood easily. For example, a child may take his shirt off because the tag at the back of his neck is irritating, or he'll take off shoes and socks because the seam stitching is irritating.
"People think they're being bad kids, but they have sensory issues, which are painful," Tummavichakul said.
When Reece walked into the room and saw Santa, his face registered trepidation, and he turned around and began jumping up and down, not with joy but apparently anxiety.
"Do you want to sing a song, Reece?" Santa asked as he launched into "Jingle Bells." But Reece kept his distance, coming close only to get a soft teddy bear.
Photographer Frank Saverino snapped a picture. As they prepared to leave, his mother, Michele Gonzalez, showed the photo to Reece, who said, "Santa."
She was shocked. "He said 'Santa!' For a kid that doesn't speak, that's awesome," she said.
