Does shopping for you often include meltdowns, yelling, running away, and hearing “I want this toy”, or “can we go home yet!?” Shopping with children can be challenging and this blog is aimed at giving you some helpful tips and tricks to make those shopping trips that little bit easier.
The Secret to Shopping with Kids
Stress free shopping with kids is a real thing and we have all the tips and tricks you need to make shopping easy...
Shopping... some of us love it... and some of us hate it. Going to the shops is an activity that we all do in our everyday life, whether it be food shopping, picking out some new clothes or a new toy! The shops can be a challenging place for many children, and often can be even more challenging for those who are living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This video from the National Autism Society (2019) provides a glimpse into what a shopping trip may feel like for a child living with ASD: Video Link.
Many children living with ASD will experience sensory overload (when the body is getting too much sensory input from the environment); triggers may include lights, smells, noise and too many people. More specifically, this may be the beeping sounds at the cash register, the smell of the takeaway place, a mobile phone ringing or the sound of two shopping trolleys being pushed into one another, for example. They may have difficulty with the change in routine if they were not expecting to go to the shops or they may be feeling anxious due to it being a new environment.
All these factors can lead to a meltdown. A meltdown is a response to an overwhelming situation and causes the child to lose control of their emotions and behaviours. This may cause the child to run away, yell, hit and avoid doing things, for example.
Give your child lots of warning that you will be going to the shops. This helps them to feel more prepared and know what to expect; both verbally and visually:
If you are going to a new shop, consider showing your child the stores website and an image of what the store looks like. Alternatively, you could take a photo of the store and show this to your child prior to going. This helps your child to prepare for the visit and become more familiar with the surroundings.
Consider the use of a social story to help your child understand the social situation and learn socially appropriate behaviours. Look on Google to find an example or speak to your OT. To learn more about what a social story is, click here: Video Link.
Start by making the first trip to the store short and gradually increase the length of time as your child becomes more comfortable.
Trial the use of an app to help your child understand the sequence of tasks in the day or steps involved in your shopping routine. Some recommendations include:
Identify potential triggers; consider particular sights, sounds or situations that may make your child feel overwhelmed. Try to eliminate or reduce these triggers where possible. For example, if your child is sensitive to noise, consider the use of noise cancelling headphones and playing calming music. Similarly, if your child is sensitive to light, consider the use of sunglasses and a hat.
Create a signal! Ensure that there is a way your child can let you know if they feel overwhelmed, perhaps by squeezing your hand or using a hand signal (thumbs down/up).
Bring items to help your child feel calm, maybe their favourite toy or food?
Consider the use of sensory regulation activities before and after shopping to help feeling prepared for the shopping trip and coping with feelings post shopping trip. Trial fidget toys and movement activities such as animal walks, jumping on the trampoline and throwing and catching a ball.
REWARD! Use lot of positive verbal praise, “I really like how well you are waiting in line so patiently”, or some high fives, thumbs up and/or stickers!
Choose a quieter time to shop, Coles and Woolworths have an allocated ‘quiet hour’ where they reduce sensory input in this period. Ask your local supermarket to find out more!
Alternatively... consider shopping at smaller supermarkets that are not located in a shopping centre, such as local Foodland’s or IGA’s. Sensory input may be reduced by avoiding walking through a big shopping centre!
We hope that some of these tips will help you and your child feel more comfortable when going to the shops!
Autism Speaks. 2021. Ten tips to prevent autism-related shopping meltdowns | Autism Speaks. [online] Available at: <https://www.autismspeaks.org/expert-opinion/ten-tips-prevent-autism-related-shopping-meltdowns> [Accessed 8 July 2021].
Autism.org.uk. 2021. all audiences. [online] Available at: <https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/meltdowns/all-audiences> [Accessed 8 July 2021].
The National Autism Society. 2019. Can you make it to the end?. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPknwW8mPAM> [Accessed 8 July 2021].