This could make your life a little easier.
An Irish supermarket is continuing to grow its efforts to create a more autism-friendly space for those who find shopping stressful.
Last year SuperValu introduced a range of supports for children on the spectrum and their parents and this week those efforts were applauded by noted autistic author, speaker (and subject of a semi-biographical film, portrayed on screen by Claire Danes) Dr Temple Grandin.
Dr Grandin, who is also a leading livestock expert, gave her seal of approval to SuperValu’s Autism Lifeskill Friend (ALF) Trolley, which uses a “shaping programme” to help children in a supermarket and shop environment.
Here’s how it works: Key grocery item shapes are attached to a board and removed as the task is completed. A favourite treat item is kept until the end to help focus the child on the completing the overall task.
Parents can download their preferred grocery visuals from the internet and bring them along to use for their own shopping needs.
Many SuperValu stores around the country have also introduced autism-friendly shopping evenings. Participating stores dim the lights, cut the music and turn off any loudspeaker announcements between 7pm and 9pm, reducing sensory overload for customers with autism.
