Johnson said Landon intended to tell Santa he had autism and his hands were "flapping" until the jolly old elf "took L's hands in his and started rubbing them, calming them down."
The mother said Santa took more than five minutes to talk to Landon.
"L told Santa that sometimes he gets in trouble at school and it's hard for people to understand that he has autism, and that he's not a naughty boy. Santa told L to not worry and that he has been a very good boy being who he is," Johnson wrote.
Johnson said the interaction was unique for Landon.
"My child is a great advocate for himself. But this day was different. He opened up to this person about who he was and he was accepted. He wasn't a science experiment, like he gets treated when most people find out he autistic. He 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. To be told that it's ok to be who he is.
AdvertisementWe have met a lot of amazing people in our Autism journey, but this one made the top of the list.
Shout out to the Santa at the RiverTown Crossings Mall. You.are.AMAZING!"
The RiverTown Santa had high praise for Landon, as well.
"He's a wonderful child," Santa told WXMI-TV. "There's always children... I love them all."
"Christmas is about love and joy, and that's what I try to bring to all the children and people that I meet here. And it's an honest pleasure to do that," he said.
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