All some kids with autism want for Christmas is a chance to visit with Santa.

But the noise and crowds associated with the holiday shopping season make that a nearly impossible challenge for autistic kids — until now.

Nine Oxford Properties shopping centres — including five in the GTA — offer a special program which allows these children to sit on Santa’s knee and enjoy a leisurely visit.

The initiative began last Yuletide season at Calgary’s Southcentre Mall and has been eagerly embraced by eight others in the Oxford Properties group.

“We spoke with our marketing team from Southcentre Mall and, based on their program last year which was so successful, all the Oxford Properties (malls) decided it would be an easy program to implement,” said Elena Price, marketing director at Mississauga’s Square One Shopping Centre.

“We thought we could do this and make such a difference with these families and their holiday experience.”

Other participating GTA locations include Scarborough Town Centre, Yorkdale, Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill and Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket.

Price said the program, which began Sunday, is a huge success with families.

“It was really touching to see. There were several families that had never been to visit Santa,” Price said.

“We had one family and both their children have autism, one of them quite severely. He has a service dog that helps to calm the child down. The father had tears because he said he has never seen his son smile the way he smiled sitting on Santa’s knee. They walked away with a family picture with Santa. It was very moving.”

At Square One, two hours are set aside — 9 to 11 a.m. — on Sundays, before most stores open and the mall is open and families can book a 15-minute appointment.

A special booklet has been prepared to let children know what to expect and they are placed in a waiting area close to Santa beforehand to ensure their comfort, Price said.

“Once they’re comfortable, they sit on Santa’s lap and we take pictures for the family,” she added.

Staff at Kerry’s Place Autism Services are on hand to provide support and volunteer mall staff are specially trained for the Sunday morning sessions.

At Scarborough Town Centre, parents told CTV how important it was for their children to experience a Christmas season event other families take for granted.

“My son has real issues dealing with crowds, so as a result meltdowns are pretty common for him. So having a nice, quiet moment is well worth it,” Toronto resident Frank Heaney told CTV.

Andrea Lombardo expressed similar joy.

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“My son was smiling and he actually smiled in the picture, which doesn’t happen that often, so it was great,” Lombardo told CTV.

The Society for Treatment of Autism estimates about one in 165 Canadian children are affected by autism spectrum disorder.