Sometimes Santa is the only person to confide in. For 6-year-old Landon, he was looking for reassurance, because some people think he is naughty because he has autism.
Landon was visiting Santa with his mom, Naomi, at the RiverTown Crossings mall in Michigan and made sure to give Santa his list. But then, he ran back up to Santa and asked him a question that was on his mind – “Will my autism put me on the naughty list?” Landon wanted Santa to know he had autism and he was concerned that people thought he was naughty because of his condition.
Santa asked if it bothered him.
“Sometimes,” Landon responded. But Santa told Landon it shouldn’t bother him and it’s ok to be who you are. He told him, “You know I love you and the reindeer love you and it’s OK. You’re a good boy. You’re a good boy, you know?”
Naomi was touched that Santa said exactly the right thing. She later shared the experience on Facebook, along with a family photo, and wrote, “Here was Landon, sitting with Santa and being told that it was ok to be himself. Mommy tells him all the time that he’s special and I love him the way he was made, but it’s always nice to hear it from others.”
Later, Santa read that post and was overwhelmed when he saw it. He said he shed some tears knowing Landon had such a positive experience.
As for Landon, he’s relieved he’s not going to get coal in his stocking from Santa. And Naomi says, “We have met a lot of amazing people in our Autism journey, but this one made the top of the list.”
Watch Landon’s sweet interview in the video below. I’m sure you’ll need a tissue or two when you see Landon special meeting with Mr. Claus.
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