AUSTIN, Texas --  Visiting the Easter bunny is a time-honored holiday tradition for many people, but loud noises, long lines and large crowds can lead to a sensory overload.

This can cause some children with special needs to miss out on the experience, which is why the Caring Easter bunny is in town to bring holiday cheer to all kids.

Brian Mangum and his family hopped on this exclusive opportunity, Sunday morning. His 7-year-old son Logan is living with autism. 

“Typically we really don’t spend a lot of time at the mall, but we still want to have the same kind of family experiences that my wife and I remember from our childhood, so this allows us to do that with him,” Mangum said. 

More than 100 Simon Malls across the country are opening their doors early for these families.

“It’s just quiet, it’s calm, peaceful, there’s no crazy loud noises, no vendors trying to sell things, and it makes it a lot more focused on the actual event of being able to see the Easter bunny,” said Erika Mitchen, whose son has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. 

If there was not a sensory-friendly experience for children with special needs and their families, they would have to wait in line during regular mall hours, which parents said can take hours and can be overwhelming.

“They just get overstimulated and loud noises and bright lights tend to just upset them,” said Candace Crawford, whose sons are on the spectrum. 

In the subdued setting, the photo-opportunity becomes more personalized. 

“They get to spend a little extra time getting to know the character and, you know, hang out a little bit,” Crawford said. 

“My son he can bolt at any moment or he may not be fully engaged at first, so he’ll need a little bit of time to warm up to the experience and everyone here respects that and understands,” Mangum said. 

The Caring Bunny program is being held in more than 100 Simon Malls across the country.