Santa lies down on floor for boy with autism

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Brayden Deely's parents couldn't convince him to sit on Santa's lap. So to give Brayden the full experience Santa went the extra mile by getting on the ground.

Children going to the mall and posing for a picture on Santa's lap is an age-old tradition. But what happens when a kid doesn't want to?

Well that question came up and SouthPark Mall's Santa answered by getting on the ground with little Brayden. That moment was captured in a touching photo.

"We would not have Santa pictures otherwise," said Erin Deely, Brayden's mom.

The incredible image was taken Sunday during Caring Santa, an event put on by Autism Speaks and other organizations to give kids affected by autism a chance to have a more typical experience with Santa.

"Social situations get very difficult for him so having the ability for us to come in and set up an appointment and give him an experience of a typical child is huge for him and huge for us," said Dan Deely, Brayden's dad.

Caring Santa has been around for two years. The child gets about 15 - 20 minutes of one-on-one time with Mr. Clause. Kelli Embler with Autism Speaks of the Carolinas says its a growing trend.

"It's starting to spread through social media and families telling other families," said Embler.

To register for Caring Santa visit the autism speaks website and search Caring Santa. This Sunday at Concord Mills Mall is the next Caring Santa event.

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