Going out shopping with a child with ASD is one of the most stressful task to do. For some children with ASD going through the door of the shop can be really daunting with automatic doors. The unpredictability when it will open or close can cause fear and anxiety. Some shops even have two automatic doors before you can get in which is even worse. It adds to the pressure of remembering the routines which he does ever since he first entered the shop.
Our son would usually wait for the automatic door to close first then wait for it to open again before getting in or out the door. It becomes impossible when it’s really busy. We’ll have to stand outside until it’s clear to pass. Shopping starts and ends in tears most times when he was still non-verbal. Figuring out what was wrong and what routine is missed.
After moving house we used to shop in the nearest Lidl. It was about 12 minute walk which took me longer with all his routines and other things that set him off like the buttons in the pedestrian crossing. After going to Lidl a few times by walk, surviving all the tantrums, one day I thought I got it all right. Made it through the till without any tears. Until we exited through the opened automatic door. We stood outside for an hour. He was screaming, crying and rolling on the floor. He refused to step on his buggy board, shouting ‘again’. Again means I had to go back to the shop and do everything all over again.
Standing my ground I had to say ‘No’ and wait until he calms down. Unfortunately, I have forgotten my phone at home that I can’t call my husband for help. An older couple offered to drop us home. I had to refuse. He won’t even go on his buggy board, there’s no way he’ll get on anybody’s car, not even a taxi. Until a man approached me and ask what’s wrong. I said he has autism. He offered to give us a lift. I refused and explained. He said it’s been long since he was crying and how long more do I have to wait. He offered to atleast walk me home maybe he’ll stop. I accepted. He carried him in his arms. Trying to think quick on my next move, I saw the pedestrian crossing. He always wanted to press those buttons but it’s not on the direction going home. I thanked the man for walking us, assuring him we’ll be fine. Since we are away from the Lidl exit, I distracted my son from his tantrum and asked him if he wanted to press the button on the crossing. We crossed the road and crossed back again, then finally we came home.
When he learned how to read, I made him a social story to be able to help him with his anxiety on automatic doors. Here it is …
I like going out with my mum. We go to shops or hospitals.
Some buildings or shops have automatic doors. This is ok.
Automatic doors have sensors that opens when somebody is near the door.
When it’s really busy, sometimes it stays open. This is ok. A lot of people have to go in and out of the shop.
I will keep on walking with my mum or dad to get in or out of the shop even if it stays open.
The sensor will know if there’s nobody near the door and then it closes.
The doors closes so that the temperature is maintained in the shop.
It has to stay warm in winter or fall and kept cool during spring or summer.
Sometimes the sensors of the automatic door is off and doors are kept open during warm weather. This is ok.
Fresh air outside the shop can help cool down the temperature inside.
It is safe to get in or out of the shop even when it’s doors are kept open.
Going through automatic doors to get inside buildings or shops is alright!
This social story was revised many times. I tried to start it with a positive note that he likes to go out with me although I know he would rather stay home. When his speech and vocabulary improved, I was able to add explanations on social stories, like how automatic doors work. I also added more that during warm weather that doors are kept open. This was based on an experience during summer. It went really well when I first made the story. Then one summer day when we went to the city centre, most of the automatic doors are kept open in most shops and shopping centres. He refused to get inside and threw tantrums. I went home empty handed. I wasn’t even able to buy milk and ended up giving him infant milk at home. After analysing that experience, I added more explanation and reassurance in the story. That’s how it is with social stories, it has to evolve according to a child’s need to make it work.
Outside the box...Autism Adventures 