24 Hour Autism Hotline 1300 222 777. Being attentive to customer needs is a vital skill for good customer service. A social story can be a great way to introduce and share information with an autistic child. Hi my name is Jade and I am a 38 year old married mum of two boys (6 & 4). Have you tried social stories yet? Charlotte King, whose three-year-old son Darcy is undergoing diagnosis for autism, said the initiative was "amazing", making it "far less stressful" for adults with autism and parents of children with the condition. He said today it is too noisy and busy. During a day of drama senators ultimately decide not to hear witnesses and move to closing arguments. The National Autistic Society has Hopefully in the future it will be something all shops do on a regular basis. Have a quiet area or room available if needed. It added it was working with specialist charity groups to ensure its stores were inclusive for all. Many young autistic children struggle with language and find pictures much easier to process. You can find more information about slow shopping here – Slow Shopping. © 2021 BBC. 'Autism Hour' helps cut shopping stress What is autism? For these reasons many shops are beginning to introduce slow shopping or quiet hours. That would "almost take the anxiety away", she said. I used to work in a supermarket and I still avoided taking my son. Some businesses, like The Entertainer and Morrisons, already offer a weekly Quiet Hour, and Autism Hour aims to bring awareness to the cause and hopefully make autism-friendly shopping a more common thing. Shopping environments are full of different noises, smells and sounds and can easily cause an overload for people on the autistic spectrum. Autistic people are not the only ones to struggle with shopping. The National Autistic Society’s annual Autism Hour is back this year. These lanyards indicate that the wearer has a hidden disability and may require extra support. The Promenades, the local community shopping centre has teamed up with leading autism charity, the National Autistic Society, to hold an Autism Hour on the 8th October 2018. Autism Hours are designed to show businesses the simple steps they can take to improve the shopping experience for autistic customers and families. Making staff more aware of different customers needs. So the news that Morrisons will be introducing a ‘quiet hour’ in stores – where they’ll turn music and radios off, dim the lights, keep other noises down and inform shoppers it’s the quiet hour – came as a great relief to me. This could be as simple as no music, avoiding tannoy use and use phones off the shop floor. And Sainsbury's said more than 600 of its stores took part in the National Autistic Society's Autism Hour in October last year and will be doing so again this year. Autism-Friendly Shopping Hour. National Autistic Society campaign Too Much Information, Meet the Autism Professionals …. Unfortunately there are many reasons why we still have to take our kids shopping so here are some tips that have helped me out. "The trolleys all clashing, the sound of the tills, the volume of noise in there - you can't think straight.". This is at no additional cost to you and it supports my blog so thank you.**. Coles is at the other end of the centre. A simple smile and ‘can I help you’ is all most customers require autistic or not. It is important that staff put aside personal judgement and treat customers kindly and provide any support they require. Sometimes it is identical to autism hour. Julie Titmuss, 61, from Colchester, Essex, was diagnosed with autism only two years ago after what she called a "lifelong struggle" to find out why she found certain situations difficult. What's On. This site uses cookies to improve the experience for users. Businesses can help ease this pressure and create a better shopping environment by implementing the simple steps laid out in Autism Hour. Autism Hour. Posted on September 17, 2019 October 4, 2019 by LukeA. Stick around while I share information and resources related to autism that have been helpful to us since my eldest was diagnosed at 2. A visual aid can just be a photo. Angela Gray, Morrisons community champion at Woking, who has an autistic child herself said she'd found the changes made a "real difference". October 04, 2018 #flipthenarrative, ASC, ASD, autism, Autism Hour, National Autistic Society. Among those signed up are shopping centres across the UK and retailers including Clarks and Toys R Us. Decisions… The bus pulls up outside the shopping centre. "If a supermarket has a quieter hour, that doesn't stop the supermarket being busy with long queues which can be an added stress," she said, saying she would like to see "a time zone where disabled children, young adults and so on - not just with autism but other disabilities - should be allowed to shop without the normal public in the shops". The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Play now. This is a really great campaign as it’s so important everyone feels included in their community. autism hour: creating an autism-friendly shopping environment The autism spectrum and the outside world do not go hand-in-hand. You can also use a visual to provide focus when you are out like the shopping list below. Sainsbury‘s has become the latest retailer to sign up to Autism Hour as part of a nationwide campaign led by the National Autistic Society. Quiet hour for Tesco shoppers: Supermarket giant is trialing a no noise policy to help people with autism do their shopping. The movement of trolleys and baskets will also be reduced, it says. Customers with autism may act unpredictably, this could be noises, actions and or behaviour. "I don't go to the big supermarkets. The charity is encouraging retailers to take part in a nationwide "autism hour" in October. You may also find my post about supporting autistic customers helpful. I wouldn’t go as far to say stepping out into a crowded street or a busy shop is the same as an alien stepping onto planet Earth, but … Thu 2nd November 2017. When someone is struggling – commenting on their behaviour /lack of parental control, giving looks of pity, staring or tutting are all ways to make a situation worse. My local co-op is introducing this, how exciting and much needed! Also, a relaxed shopping lane in its Prestwick store has been trialled and will now become a permanent fixture there. It may be that spend and footfall increases in quiet hours. This is such a lovely idea. inspired shopping. Autism Hour; autism-friendly shopping spaces Stephs Two Girls. Debbie. You can also now get sunflower lanyards, often available from customer services at supermarkets. These are just a small example of some of the issues that make a supermarket / shopping environment difficult. Toy shop The Entertainer holds "quiet hours" during the first hour of opening every Saturday, when staff turn off in-store music in the company's 145 UK stores to "create a more welcoming environment for children with autism". Past all the bright, loud, smelly shops that don’t participate in Quiet Hour. Many people with disabilities can find shops overwhelming or difficult for a number of different reasons. Some statistics from the National Autistic Society that provide an insight as to why quiet hours are necessary: Over 99% of people have heard of autism but only 16% of autistic people feel the public understand them. Chain store ASDA is creating a 'quiet hour' to make shopping easier for customers living with autism and other disabilities. Simon Lea, an Asda store manager in Manchester, has introduced a weekly 'quiet hour' to help make shopping less stressful for autistic customers – a first for any supermarket in the UK. Use visual aids to give the child warning about where they are going and what they will be doing. Striking news pictures from around the world, Zendaya & Washington in the film that's got everyone talking ★★☆☆☆, What happened when a city gave its homeless $7,500 for free, Why Canada is falling behind in Covid vaccinations1, China 'refused access' to key Covid data for WHO2, Powerful earthquake rocks Fukushima in Japan3, In pictures: Dutch take to ice as canals freeze4, Biden aide suspended for 'threatening reporter'5, Britney Spears' father must share financial power6, The camera capturing Mars' craters and canyons7, Soldiers killed in Napoleon's 1812 retreat buried8, 'A giant gash is being carved through the city'9, The luxury, mould and fake walls of 'Putin's palace'10. Launched by The National Autistic Society , shopping centre intu has signed up to support the … Marton Countdown first in NZ to introduce 'quiet shopping hour' for people with autism. Autism Hour sees 4,500 shops offering a calmer experience for 60 minutes a day - dimming lights, turning off music and TV screens and sharing information about the … Learn how your comment data is processed. You can find more information about slow shopping here – Slow Shopping. The ALF (autism life-skill friend) trolley was designed by Tony and Teresa O’Donovan from Togher. AASS provides the only 24 hour Autism Hotline in the world. 18 Apr, 2018 06:00 PM 6 minutes to read. Autism Hour 2019: Quiet shopping hours in Leeds this October. According to the National Autistic Society, 700,000 people are on the autistic spectrum in the UK. You can also now get sunflower lanyards, often available from customer services at supermarkets. If someone suffers from anxiety a busy shop can make this worse, I could go on but I think you get the idea. It not only helps people with autism spectrum conditions, but also a wide range of other disabilities by reducing the potential for sensory overload. It is too much for him to take in. "Parents will be more relaxed knowing there will be people there that understand and won't judge them, this will help reduce anxiety levels for everyone.". Video, Impeachment: Three key arguments by Trump’s lawyers, The video Russian police 'leaked to scare people' Video, The video Russian police 'leaked to scare people', Why Canada is falling behind in Covid vaccinations, China 'refused access' to key Covid data for WHO, Powerful earthquake rocks Fukushima in Japan, In pictures: Dutch take to ice as canals freeze, Biden aide suspended for 'threatening reporter', Britney Spears' father must share financial power, The camera capturing Mars' craters and canyons, Soldiers killed in Napoleon's 1812 retreat buried, The luxury, mould and fake walls of 'Putin's palace', as one store in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, did last year. Sensory processing difficulties means people become overloaded when they get too much sensory information to process at once. Find Out More. It is hoped the move will help to prevent shoppers with autism being overwhelmed by sensory overload – which can be an issue in stores. Shopping made easier for people with autism as Coles introduces ‘Quiet Hour’ By Saimi Jeong Updated November 20, 2017 — 10.09pm first published at 8.32pm I think the quiet hour is a genius idea. If a customer is struggling make it easier for them not harder. The mum-of-three, from Sittingbourne in Kent, said: "My son is 16, he finds it incredibly difficult to go in to a shop. For autistic people, the world can seem full of too much information – and too little understanding. Autism Friendly Support Tools. “When families go in and these sensory issues initiate a meltdown, then of course parents with multiple children struggle in the stores,” explains Kitty Parlby, owner of Autism Inspirations in Alix. Yes an hour is not ideal and will not be a suitable time for everyone but it is a step in the right direction. Karan McKerrow, chairman of the West Norfolk branch of the National Autistic Society (NAS), said: “We would sincerely like to thank all the stores in King’s Lynn, Downham Market and surrounding areas who took park in this year’s event. A fantastic product that I reviewed is the Seekers magnetic scavenger hunt set. This is dedicated times where staff will be more aware of customers who have difficulties with shopping and the environments may be adapted for that hour e.g. Shops are unpredictable. Autistic children grow up to be autistic adults, People may be under-sensitive or over-sensitive to sounds; find social situations a challenge; experience a "meltdown" if overwhelmed. The National Autistic Society says it is a "step in the right direction". One of its stores in Manchester first introduced the scheme in 2016. In 2019 Autism Hour will take place from Saturday 5th October – Saturday 12th October. It makes perfect sense. It looks like you are a bad parent with a naughty child. But I also believe people with autism shouldn’t be restricted to shopping just in one store at a certain time of day. I hope more shops take part in Autism Hour this year and it keeps on growing x. Video will play in. It’s a campaign which encourages shops, restaurants, banks and other businesses and services to have a quiet hour for autistic customers. **This post contains affiliate links, if you purchase from an affiliate link then I may recieve a small commission. Many autistic people struggle with shopping environments. A Sobey's in the Maritimes introduced a sensory-friendly hour every second Sunday to allow those shopping with autism in their family some ease. If I buy some at Coles, then my budget is all out of whack. Sign up for The Autism Page monthly newsletter and get my free guide to the top 11 autism therapies. I can't even begin to tell you how deafeningly dreadful it is," she said. If I go home to get them there isn’t another bus that will get me to Coles in time for Quiet Hour. Whilst every person with autism presents differently, many on the spectrum struggle with things like noise, smells and sound. Supermarket chain Morrisons has introduced a weekly "quieter hour" for autistic shoppers who struggle with music and noise. This is a really good idea and hopefully more stores recognise the difficulties people face when out shopping and make it a regular thing. I didn’t know they did quiet hours. How someone copes when they are overloaded will differ from one person to the next. For example, sensory-friendly shopping aims to make the shopping experience less busy, noisy, and … So quiet hours in supermarkets are a progressive and positive step towards better serving not only those on the autism spectrum, but also anyone who has to deal with sensory overload. If you sign up to my monthly newsletter you will get my free guide to autism therapies for young children. The most important element of Autism Hour is providing information to staff and creating more autism awareness. She said the Morrisons scheme was commendable, but that an hour was not enough and that other retailers also needed to consider it. In three of its Liverpool-based stores, where staff have received training, parents can request a number of store modifications when they begin their shopping trip, it added. Giving customers more processing time, they may need a minute to respond to a question. lower noise levels. That’s the reason autism awareness is so important as it is a hidden disability. As a parent of an autistic child I realise that I can’t expect strangers to understand my child’s behaviours and actions but a little bit of awareness goes a long way in terms of support. Autism Hour is a national campaign which took place from October 5 to 12 to create a calmer shopping atmosphere for people with autism. The National Autistic Society’s Autism Hour campaign encourages retailers to create a more autism friendly shopping environment Sainsbury’s has teamed up with leading autism charity, the National Autistic Society, to support Autism Hour, where shops and services take 60 minutes to provide autistic people with a break from the usual overload of ‘too much information’. Sensory-friendly shopping is similar to autism hour. I have autism and also melophobia – a fear of music – which means shopping can be a difficult experience, and one I often try to avoid. Hopefully you will find something that can help you. Gary Grant, founder and executive chairman of The Entertainer, said: “Shopping during the festive season can be challenging for those who find the hustle and bustle and additional lights and noise uncomfortable. It’s as simple as not judging people or their actions and just being friendly and helpful to everyone. Jody Worrell, who has two teenagers with autism, called the scheme a "great start" but said there was more to the condition than just dealing with the sensory aspect. Don’t get me wrong, my shopping experience with Alfie (if planned and executed correctly) has improved over the last year, but it’s still pot luck if we get in and out totally unscathed. Stores will put signs up during the hour to let other customers know about the scheme and to highlight that it is meant to be a calm environment for shoppers. Hi Deb, I think 700,000 is a conservative number and probably much higher. 28% of autistic people have been asked to leave a public space for reasons associated with their autism. Read about our approach to external linking. May 12, 2016 Dr. John Carosso. The Morrisons scheme was introduced following a trial earlier this year in its Lincoln, Woking and Gainsborough stores. The idea is for shops to provide one hour (more if possible) during that week where they make small changes to support autistic customers. This figure represents more than 1% of the population in the UK. The Too Much Information campaign poster on the link below is a great way to start informing people about autism: There are simple steps that a store can take to provide a ‘quiet hour’ this includes: To provide an autism hour the key is to make staff more autism aware. "I personally avoid taking him anywhere in shopping malls," said the mum-of-two, from Hartley-Wintney in Hampshire. Impeachment: Three key arguments by Trump’s lawyers. Tesco has launched a “quiet hour” scheme in an attempt to make the shopping experience more comfortable for customers with autism. "It is the noise, the lights, it is tannoys. An Autism-Friendly Learning Resource for 2021. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The National Autistic Society has introduced a mass autism hour. We are based in the West Country between Bristol and Bath. Find Out More. In Manchester, U.K, a superstore staged its first ever ‘quiet hour’ to help autistic and disabled shoppers this weekend… and now EIGHT other shops at Manchester Fort are set to do the same.