This morning I had a mom ask me why the grocery store creates a meltdown for her child. I told her I wasn't surprised. Have you every thought about what the store looks like from your child's perspective?
You enter the store, needless to say, someone is always pushing more carts into the store. People are grabbing them. The wheels are noisy, people's feet make a variety of sounds. Sometimes the flooring has a different texture and causes a vibration with the carriages. Wow your ears hurt already. Parents: try noise cancellation headphones no one knows if they are just listening to music.
Next you hit the produce section. People are all over, zigging and Zagging with those annoying carts. Their feet still noisy. The smells from the produce can be overwhelming. Then the worst part. The people. They all have their own scent. Some have cologne or perfume and some just have overwhelming body odor. Some smell like cigarettes and other things. A bit overwhelming for your nose. Parents: health food stores sell oils. You can dab a few drops of a preferred scent under your child's nose before entering the store.
Visually, the fruit is bright colored and although they try to organize it, when you are on the Spectrum, sometimes if they are not aligned as the child thinks it should be that can be overwhelming. The people again, many different colors of clothing. The fluorescent lights, the mirrors, the sprayers. My eyes now hurt. Parents: use a checklist with or without pictures, have child check them off. Focuses their visual attention or try sunglasses.
The textures of the fruit and veggies as mom asks me to put them in the bag. Some are wet, some are not. The feel of the plastic bags. Ok I am trying to hold it together. I really am. Parents; if this is to much don't have them help by touching. Try sensory activities at home instead.
As we continue to the isles I may be able to calm. The boxes are more aligned but visually still a bit much. Oh no, these people want to stand and talk. The loud speaker , the music. I start to yell and rock and my mom tells me just a few more things. I am trying to hold it together. She walks faster, the cart makes more noise. The slamming of the doors and throwing of items in the cart. I can't do this. I am sorry MOM. I tried. Parents: although the meltdown may cause you to try to hurry to get out of the store, the faster you go the more it could be bothering your child. Slow down, check out with what you have and exit.
If your child is working with an occupational therapist, they may have other specific suggestions for your child. Follow these strategies, consistently for a few weeks. Only keep to a few things until you build up your child's tolerance. Call or message me with questions.
You enter the store, needless to say, someone is always pushing more carts into the store. People are grabbing them. The wheels are noisy, people's feet make a variety of sounds. Sometimes the flooring has a different texture and causes a vibration with the carriages. Wow your ears hurt already. Parents: try noise cancellation headphones no one knows if they are just listening to music.
Next you hit the produce section. People are all over, zigging and Zagging with those annoying carts. Their feet still noisy. The smells from the produce can be overwhelming. Then the worst part. The people. They all have their own scent. Some have cologne or perfume and some just have overwhelming body odor. Some smell like cigarettes and other things. A bit overwhelming for your nose. Parents: health food stores sell oils. You can dab a few drops of a preferred scent under your child's nose before entering the store.
Visually, the fruit is bright colored and although they try to organize it, when you are on the Spectrum, sometimes if they are not aligned as the child thinks it should be that can be overwhelming. The people again, many different colors of clothing. The fluorescent lights, the mirrors, the sprayers. My eyes now hurt. Parents: use a checklist with or without pictures, have child check them off. Focuses their visual attention or try sunglasses.
The textures of the fruit and veggies as mom asks me to put them in the bag. Some are wet, some are not. The feel of the plastic bags. Ok I am trying to hold it together. I really am. Parents; if this is to much don't have them help by touching. Try sensory activities at home instead.
As we continue to the isles I may be able to calm. The boxes are more aligned but visually still a bit much. Oh no, these people want to stand and talk. The loud speaker , the music. I start to yell and rock and my mom tells me just a few more things. I am trying to hold it together. She walks faster, the cart makes more noise. The slamming of the doors and throwing of items in the cart. I can't do this. I am sorry MOM. I tried. Parents: although the meltdown may cause you to try to hurry to get out of the store, the faster you go the more it could be bothering your child. Slow down, check out with what you have and exit.
If your child is working with an occupational therapist, they may have other specific suggestions for your child. Follow these strategies, consistently for a few weeks. Only keep to a few things until you build up your child's tolerance. Call or message me with questions.
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