Holiday tunes act as a soundtrack for shopping. Strings of lights twinkle in trees and hang from high ceilings.
And lines of parents wait with children dressed in cute Christmas outfits for the chance to take pictures with Santa and whisper in his ear.
The hustle and bustle at malls this time of year can quickly become overwhelming for anyone as the holidays loom closer. But for the nearly 2 million children nationwide with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities, a trip through the mall to visit Santa's workshop can be downright traumatic.
"They simply cannot often handle a loud, noisy, bright environment like at the mall," said Catherine Hughes, Director of Family Support Services for Family Behavioral Resources, headquartered in Greensburg.
To make sure children with sensory challenges can also share in the holiday tradition, a number of malls, businesses and other organizations are hosting special autism-friendly Santa events each season without the crowds and chaos.
"I remember as a child going to see Santa and getting to sit on Santa's lap and I know that for some of these kids, they'll never be able to experience that because of the setting that Santa's in," said Holly Maust of Hanover Township.
Maust's 5-year-old daughter, Sarah, was diagnosed about two and a half years ago with a form of autism known as pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and she has never been to visit Santa.
"I feel bad that she can't sit on Santa's lap and say, this is what I want for Christmas, and get that picture and have her have that memory," Maust said.
ASD and autism are names for complex disorders of brain development that often result in difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors, according to the national science and advocacy organization, Autism Speaks. There are many different types of autism, including Rett syndrome, PDD-NOS and Asperger syndrome.
While no one cause is known, research has identified gene changes and risk factors during very early brain development that are associated with autism.
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Autism-friendly Santa