Provided Visual Supports

Visual Supports

are an essential part of making this event more accessible for neurodivergent children. By providing visual supports, such as step-by-step instructions for activities, picture-based schedules, and communication supports, we strive to help children better understand what to expect and how to participate in each activity. Visual supports reduce anxiety by offering predictability and clarity, which is especially important in new or potentially overwhelming environments. This accommodation ensures that all children, regardless of communication style or processing needs, can engage with the event in a way that feels familiar and supportive.

Communication Boards

No-tech communication boards are simple, non-electronic tools designed to support communication for individuals who may have difficulty speaking or understanding verbal instructions. These boards feature a series of images, symbols, or words that represent common needs, feelings, or activities. Individuals can point to or touch the images on the board to express themselves, ask questions, or make choices. In the context of this event, no-tech communication boards will provide a straightforward, visual way for children to communicate, reducing frustration and helping them navigate the experience with more independence and confidence. We will have communication boards available. If your child has their own device or communication book, please bring it! Santa loves Augmentative and Alternative Communication❤️

Meeting Santa Social Story.pdf

Social Stories

A social story is a tool used to teach social skills and appropriate behaviors by describing a social situation in a clear, structured, and supportive way. It typically includes descriptions of the setting, actions, and expected behaviors in a narrative format, often accompanied by visuals. Social stories help individuals understand social norms and expectations in specific situations.

Meeting Santa can be overwhelming, especially for children who are anxious or unfamiliar with the process.

A social story can help them understand the sequence of events (sitting on Santa's lap, what to say) and reduce anxiety. We are pleased to offer you this social story to support your child as you prepare for this event!

Adapted Writing Activities

Adapting the writing process for neurodivergent children can help make the process of writing letters to Santa more accessible, enjoyable, and less overwhelming. Using visual prompts or templates with pre-written prompts, such as “Dear Santa” or “I would like,” will help guide children in structuring their letter. Offering sentence starters like “This year I have been…” or “I would love…” will help them get started and reduce the pressure of coming up with ideas. Flexibility in writing tools, such as allowing the use of markers, crayons, cut/paste, or even a communication device, ensures confidence and success. Providing a calm space with reduced distractions will further help children focus on their writing, and if writing is too challenging, children can dictate their letter to an event staff member or grown up. We will have various levels of writing activities ready for your learner and we are excited to help them be successful. If your child prefers to write a letter at home and bring it with them, we'd love that too. Santa's mailbox is waiting!

218-833-2699

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