Children’s Autism Services hosts 2 holiday parties for varying sensory needs

Children's Autism Services held two holiday parties for kids who are sensory sensitive and sensory seeking.

An organization in Edmonton covered a wide range of sensory needs on Saturday by hosting two vastly different holiday parties for neurodiverse children.

Children’s Autism Services aimed to highlight the different needs of autistic children during Christmas by creating one party for kids who are sensory-sensitive and another for those who are sensory-seeking.

“It’s about options, and creating a safe and welcoming environment,” said executive director Terri Duncan.

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The room with lower sensory input included dimmed lights, no background music and a controlled space to take pictures with Santa. The other room included music, a bouncy castle and other tools to keep kids stimulated.

“Some kids do well with lots of stimulation and sensory input, and some don’t. So we want to provide options,” Duncan added.

A media release from the organization said the purpose of the two parties in neighbouring rooms was to ease stress on parents who want their children to enjoy the holiday as festivities can be “a challenge for autistic children, but in different ways.”

Monique Catibog’s son, for example, is a sensory-seeker. She brought him to the more stimulating party because she knew he would enjoy it.

“It means so much to us, being here with my kid,” she said.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall