Piedmont Athens Regional holds Sensory Santa event at the Oconee Health Campus
Published: December 12, 2025
Athens, Ga. (December 12, 2025) - For many children, the holiday season is filled with excitement and joy. But for children with sensory challenges, bright lights, festive sounds and crowded spaces can be overwhelming — often causing them to miss out on traditions like visiting Santa.
To help, Piedmont Athens Regional’s pediatric rehabilitation department hosted its annual Sensory Santa event, creating a calm, welcoming environment for families.
“This event gave the children one-on-one time with Santa in a special area where they could interact with him however they could or wanted to,” said Kelley Claas, MED, CCC-CLP, manager of rehabilitation services at Piedmont Athens Regional. “Some children might sit in a chair next to him, some might sit on his lap, and still others just wanted to talk to him from across the room or from the doorway. Taking the crowds, loud noises and over-stimulation out of the equation helps children who cannot handle that type of environment.”
Twenty-three families whose children receive sensory integration therapy at Piedmont Athens Regional reserved time to visit Santa this year.
“It was so nice to see families having fun together and being more relaxed because they knew they would not be judged if their child had difficulty standing still, was loud or cried,” Claas shared.
Sensory integration therapy evaluates how children process sensory information — including sight, sound, smell, taste and touch — and how they interpret sensations within their bodies. Overstimulation can lead to behavioral challenges or withdrawal from certain situations.
Therapists at Piedmont Athens Regional work with children and caregivers to develop home programs that teach self-regulation, establish sensory routines and provide accommodations for success at home, school and in the community. Treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or a combination of these services.
“We’re very happy that we can offer the Sensory Santa event and make a positive difference for these families during the holiday season,” Claas said.
For more information about rehabilitation services at Piedmont Athens Regional, including pediatric rehabilitation, visit piedmont.org.
To help, Piedmont Athens Regional’s pediatric rehabilitation department hosted its annual Sensory Santa event, creating a calm, welcoming environment for families.
“This event gave the children one-on-one time with Santa in a special area where they could interact with him however they could or wanted to,” said Kelley Claas, MED, CCC-CLP, manager of rehabilitation services at Piedmont Athens Regional. “Some children might sit in a chair next to him, some might sit on his lap, and still others just wanted to talk to him from across the room or from the doorway. Taking the crowds, loud noises and over-stimulation out of the equation helps children who cannot handle that type of environment.”
Twenty-three families whose children receive sensory integration therapy at Piedmont Athens Regional reserved time to visit Santa this year.
“It was so nice to see families having fun together and being more relaxed because they knew they would not be judged if their child had difficulty standing still, was loud or cried,” Claas shared.
Sensory integration therapy evaluates how children process sensory information — including sight, sound, smell, taste and touch — and how they interpret sensations within their bodies. Overstimulation can lead to behavioral challenges or withdrawal from certain situations.
Therapists at Piedmont Athens Regional work with children and caregivers to develop home programs that teach self-regulation, establish sensory routines and provide accommodations for success at home, school and in the community. Treatment may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy or a combination of these services.
“We’re very happy that we can offer the Sensory Santa event and make a positive difference for these families during the holiday season,” Claas said.
For more information about rehabilitation services at Piedmont Athens Regional, including pediatric rehabilitation, visit piedmont.org.
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