Dec. 23, 2025
Contact: Janese Heavin, heavinj@missouri.edu
Photos by: Tammy Hickman and Annie Williams
More than 70 children recently shared some holiday magic with Santa at the University of Missouri’s Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.
Designed with neurodiverse children in mind, the special event provided a calm, welcoming alternative to traditional North Pole satellite stations — giving each child the opportunity to share their wish list with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick in a space that truly met their needs.
Each child enjoyed a tailored experience, complete with one-on-one time with Santa, keepsake photos and a surprise personalized gift generously provided by the Thompson Foundation.
Scroll on to see photos from the event.
