This holiday season the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix put on two Sensitive Santa Events.

D.A.M.E.S. was happy to participate and provide a game and a craft. The lego car race is always a hit and is easy to take from event to event, but this time we wanted to do a little more.

After searching Pinterest we got an idea to make ornaments with glued on puzzle pieces for the kids to decorate. Lucky for me my little sister Jamie loves to do arts and crafts. She spray painted the pieces and glued them on for me. At the event the children got to decorate their ornaments and take them home.

This event intersected two parts of my life: my work life and my home life. While I was busy helping other families decorate ornaments and talking with mothers about my company; my husband showed up with my father and our children (who are both on the autism spectrum).

While my family was there I was able to sneak away with them for 10 minutes and get the first family photo we have taken in years. I am so thankful for the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix for putting on these wonderful events for families like mine. Where we can share in traditional holiday fun surrounded by families who are accepting of our atypical children.

D.A.M.E.S. will participate and support this event for years to come.