The highlight of every kid's holiday season is getting to see Santa Claus. But Erin Deely wasn't sure if her son Brayden, who was diagnosed with autism at age 3, was ever going to have the opportunity to visit Santa at the mall.
"I thought we would never get those holiday pictures with him because it's something he can't handle – the noise, and the pressure. He gets anxious if you ask him to smile, it's all too much for him," Erin told People.
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So Erin took Brayden to a special Caring Santa event at the SouthPark mall in Charlotte, North Carolina on Nov. 22. The program provides a chance for families with special needs to visit Santa Claus in a more comfortable environment.
When Erin brought Brayden to see Santa, he was a little apprehensive at first. But Santa knew just how to handle the situation.
"Brayden was shy and inched his way over slowly and then Santa just slowly gets out of his seat and gets on the ground and starts playing with the toys that my son brought," Erin told People.
The adorable interaction was the perfect holiday photo opportunity.
Caring Santa, a program from Autism Speaks in partnership with Simon Property Group, Inc and the Noerr Programs Corporation, has a list of upcoming events on its website.