Menumenu

  • Spring for Abilis Save the Date
  • Golf for Abilis Sunshine Fund 2024
  • Together We Shine Photos 2024
  • Abilis Winter Newsletter 2023
  • Join Our Team
  • Project Search Applications - 2024
  • Quarterly Discussion Series for Parents
  • Abilis / Project SEARCH Information Night for Programs in Darien, Stamford and Greenwich
  • Project Search Externship
  • Golf Scramble 2024

By Silvia Foster-Frau


Some kids delight in it: the loud “ho ho ho”s, sitting on Santa’s lap, being around other excited children.

But for others, the Santa experience is more stressful than fun.

To counter that, Abilis will offer a “Sensory Santa” for children who are sensitive to sensory overload and need a more tranquil and personalized interaction with Santa to enjoy his company.

 

“All sensory input will be individualized to each child to minimize the distress and maximize the experience they get from this,” said Karen Feder, director of early intervention programming for Abilis, a nonprofit for people with developmental disabilities.

Families must sign up their child to meet with this Santa, who will give 15-minute individualized sessions per family between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, at Abilis, 50 Glenville St.

While mostly directed for children with autism, Feder said even shy or otherwise easily-overwhelmed children could benefit from this Santa experience.

When families sign up, they will be asked to describe the different wants and needs of their child so the interaction with Santa will cater to their disabilities and abilities.

Those that dislike human touch can stand next to Santa, those who have minimal language skills might communicate with Santa using pictures and those who need less visual stimulation can greet him in a room with soft, low lighting.

“The more positive of an experience they have, the better for their development and growth,” said Feder. “We want them to develop a positive experience so maybe they can generalize it to another situation.”

She said it’s possible that after having a pleasant interaction with Santa this way, perhaps the child will learn to enjoy greeting Santa in a mall, or in a less managed setting, later on.

“The families want their children to have this experience. Parents need to have that hope and see their children can enjoy what typical kids do — meeting Santa,” said Feder.

Also at Abilis headquarters is a small gift store for families who want to do holiday shopping in a less stressful setting. Many of the products are made by Abilis clientele.

Feder said offering Sensory Santa is “accommodating people and recognizing this community and what we can do to enhance (it). This is just another way of giving children the best experiences we can, so that the holidays can be enjoyed by these children and families.”

Families interested in signing up can call Stacey Brazier of Abilis at 203-531-1880.

800+

People Served

24

Hours a Day

365

Days a Year

70

Years of Service

40+

Homes

400

Staff Members

5

Businesses

80+

Community Partners

Therapeutic Services

Abilis is home to experts who work together to create a cohesive approach to personalized therapeutic care. Our therapies, housed in our Therapy Center, are administered using best practices and are available at Abilis or in the environments you choose, including your home and places in the community where the therapy will be the most effective.

Read More

Life Services

Abilis provides needed supports to people throughout their lives. Our goal is to enhance each person’s quality of life through social activities, meaningful employment and high quality residential services. Our Life Services programs include health and wellness care delivered by certified professionals.

Read More

The Individual Life Plan

The Individual Life Plan (ILP) is our signature service. Abilis works collaboratively with families to assess existing needs, plan for future needs, and create a personalized roadmap for anticipated therapeutic and life skills services for their family member with disabilities. From birth through adulthood to later stages in life, the ILP will help families and individuals with disabilities prepare for and successfully navigate major life transitions.

Read More

Activities

Abilis offers social and recreational programs for children, teens, and adults. These programs range from weekly music, art, and cooking classes to monthly birthday parties with dancing and teen social gatherings with games and pizza. In addition to these regular events, Abilis schedules special outings to New York City and other destinations to enjoy arts events.

Read More

Get Involved

Abilis depends upon dedicated staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners to provide the wide range of high quality programs and services that individuals with developmental disabilities and their families need to live, learn, work, and enjoy life.

Read More

Mission Vision Values

Abilis provides people with developmental disabilities and their families in Lower Fairfield County with supports and advocacy for building able lives and strong communities.

Read More