Layton Hills Mall providing children with autism and sensory disorders chance to see Santa

LAYTON — James Riddle, 6, of Ogden, remembers very well the first time he went to see Santa at the mall. It did not go well.

“This was back when I was a little kid, but I still remember,” he said. “I had a tantrum. I was yelling and marching. It was so loud, and I did not like all the lights and all the people. I didn’t want to see Santa anymore.”

James’ mom, Katherine Kennedy, knew her son struggled with external stimuli — sounds, lights and physical touch, especially — and was told he has sensory processing disorder. He had prior episodes at home and in school, but once he had the tantrum at the mall, she wondered if going to see Santa was just something her son would be unable to do.

She found an answer at Layton Hills Mall.

For the first time, the mall, which was purchased by Second Horizon Capital in August, organized and hosted what it called “Sensory Sundays.” Described as a special time for children who need limited sensory exposure to meet with Santa, the mall on these Sundays welcomed children with sensory disorder, autism spectrum disorder and others who need a quieter space to enjoy their time.

Read the full story and more from Ivy Farguheson on ksl.com.