For kids and adults with autism-related sensory sensitivity, shopping centres and supermarkets can be serious no-go areas – think of the noise, the lights, even the escalators.
So amazingly, one supermarket in the UK has launched ‘quiet hour’ to make the shopping experience easier for these customers.
During this special hour Asda Living in Cheetham Hill Manchester will turn off the music, stop the escalators and power off the display TVs.
Manager Simon Lea decided to introduce ‘quiet hour’ when he saw a boy with autism struggle to cope in the shop two weeks ago.
“This boy was playing absolute blue murder, kicking and screaming,” he told Manchester Evening News. “His mum just looked drained.”
The incident prompted Simon to chat to a staff member who was parent to an autistic child and from there he devised ‘quiet hour’, the first of which will take place on May 7.
“When we open the doors you will be able to hear a pin drop. That’s the plan,” Simon told the MEN.
“It’s all about helping people really,” he added. “Six months ago I would have said ‘control your child’ even though I’ve got children. But speaking to people with autism and disabled people has helped me think about how I can make it a better place to shop.
“I suffered for many years with anxiety. I used to absolutely hate going into busy stores. There are a lot of people out there who have mental health issues. There are many people who don’t talk about it.”
Fair play Simon – what a thoughtful, compassionate and downright groundbreaking initiative. Bravo!
