Shopping Trips with Your Autistic Child

Shopping Trips with Your Autistic Child

Shopping with any child can be extremely hectic and
more than just a little bit difficult at times.

Shopping places are filled with attention-grabbing
advertisements that stimulate children even without
the disability of autism.

The last thing you want is to need to overpower a
screaming kid while trying to shop.

If possible, shop during the off hours (calmer
hours) and make your behavioral expectations clear
to your child before entering the store.

Know exactly what you want by keeping a list and
know where you are going while inside the store.

Remain calm and in control!

If your child has a favorite distracting toy, try to
bring it along with you.

If not, you may find an inexpensive item that your
child is attracted to that you could buy to distract
him or her during the shopping experience.

Don’t be afraid to have a time-out, either in the
bathroom of the store or just outside the store
while the store watches your items.

Remember, parents of children without autism deal
with this all the time so that a little noise and
difficulty are to be expected.

If the child is young enough, use the child seats in
some stores, including those for older children as
well.

Buckle your child in carefully and encourage the
child to remain buckled throughout the ride through
the store.

Some children are soothed by the action of the cart
while others are over stimulated by it.

Choose your “driving patterns” depending on how your
child responds to it.

Don’t increase the stimulation by removing the
safety restraint on the child or having the child
walk freely throughout the store with you.

It’s too easy for your child to get lost or to
destroy an ad display.

If there are no trolleys and your child is too big
to carry, then a firm hold on the hand may have to
be your best option.

Shopping doesn’t have to be a nightmare if you plan
accordingly.

This is just one of the many tricks, tips and techniques
that you can use to cope with your Autistic child’s
behaviors that feature in my new book “The Parenting
Autism Resource Guide”.

The Parenting Autism Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Autism.