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Real members of MyAutismTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I need some help please! Santa truth!

A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Gatineau, QC

I really need some advice on how to tell my 9 year old son, his diagnosis is PDD-NOS, about Santa. He is in Grade 4 and is talking about what Santa is going to bring him this year. I asked the Psychologist about this and should he be told, she said he should but I did not get a response on how to tell him. I do not want him to be crushed (I know he will be) but the Dr. says it is better for me and husband to tell him then him find out from his peers. I could really use some advice on how to… read more

September 19, 2014
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around a parent seeking advice on telling her 9-year-old son with PDD-NOS about Santa, with the overwhelming consensus being... Read more

Members rallied around a parent seeking advice on telling her 9-year-old son with PDD-NOS about Santa, with the overwhelming consensus being that preserving the magic of belief is more important than forcing the conversation, especially when a child has experienced bullying. Several members shared their own approaches, including framing Santa as the spirit of St. Nicholas, creating a "secret club" for children who know the truth, and simply allowing belief to remain a personal choice that naturally evolves over time. A recurring theme was trusting the child's wisdom and resilience, with many noting that children on the spectrum often understand more than adults realize and will decide when they are ready to let go of the magic on their own terms.

A MyAutismTeam Member

My son is 17 and we will never tell him there isn't a Santa. Why would I ruin his favorite time of the year? And to be honest, I tell my "normal" kids that Santa was real as long as they believed in him. Have I ever had that conversation with them explaining that Santa is imaginary? Nope. In our house Santa is real. I don't care how old you get. There is magic in believing. My kids make cookies for Santa, leave carrots for the reindeer. I'm sure they all know except for Jonathan. They help me keep the magic alive for Jonathan.

September 21, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

Why not tell him about the story of St. Nicolas - there is a Veggie Tales movie that addresses Santa and talks about who St. Nicolas was and why he did what he did. Then you can talk about how people like to pretend they are St. Nicolas at Christmas.

September 19, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

Emilia my daughter(11 now she will be 12 the day after Christmas), she is diagnose with spectrum, and she told me last week that she is going to write a letter to Santa, I didn’t know how explain to her that Santa doesn’t exist and I just told her “what if Santa doesn’t come?” and I try to convince her that she is growing up and probably she need to know things about Santa and she told me “Mom you need to BELIVE in Santa, Santa really exist and probably you need to write a letter to him too”. I’m pretty sure that her classmates talk about this and she knows but she make her choice and her choice is BELIVE, I respect her 
Remember this kids are very smart

September 23, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

I saw a letter on pinterest that I saved as inspiration for that day I know will some day come. If you google "letter to Ryan explaining Santa", it's a really beautiful explanation of Santa to a child.

September 21, 2014
A MyAutismTeam Member

Thank you rylynmom and CASEY! We tried telling him about St. Nick and explained the spirit of Christmas as best as we could. Also that he would now belong to a secret club and must not disclose what he knew to younger children. He does not believe us and when we asked him about Santa and what he thought after our discussion, he said "The real Santa still lives in the North Pole." We are just going to leave it at that for now. My son has a golden heart and his magical spell about Santa cannot be broken. I am not pressing the issue. Thank you all! All the best! :) Heather

September 22, 2014

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