Subtitle - The trials and tribulations of running an errand with two special needs kids and how it might appear to those watching inside the store.
A quick trip to the grocery store seems to be nothing out of the ordinary for most people. For a parent to a special needs child this trip can be a nightmare for all involved.
It is not unusual to see children out of control in a stimulating atmosphere with candy aisles and fluorescent lights. Add to that the voice over the intercom calling an employee to the front desk or for a phone call. The sounds of the carts banging and loose wheels not properly turning into the aisles.
Go down the cereal aisle and choices abound for those parents whose children watch cartoons and cable channels. Enter the meat, dairy and frozen food aisles and the temperature changes. Any kid can be found opening the freezer doors and seeing the fog on the door and feel the cold air on their hand.
Out of the blue enters the family with the two autistic kids. All eyes turn to watch their arrival, even the security guard acknowledges them and says hello. You have arrived and you sincerely hope this trip will be a quick one.
The journey starts off holding hands but the minute you pick up an item for placement in the cart, the child darts down the aisle and up the next and into the fruit aisle and out of sight.
You hope one of the employees stocking the fruit and vegetables hears the child flying down the aisle. You listen for sounds of crying and wait for the next sound. Sounds like someone is having fun in aisle six. Maybe it is the green carpet or the colors of all the items in this aisle.
As soon as you arrive and stake out your next move, the child bolts towards the meat aisle. Once again you can only hope the butcher who has witnessed this olympic try out, does not have their meat cart in the middle of the aisle.
The older child decides he will go get his best friend and proceeds to go all over the store calling out his name and calling back even louder how his search is going. All the while you continue going about your shopping.
You have made it to the check out line. Once your transaction is complete, the bagger once again asks you, "do you need help out to your car"? Your reply is always the same, no but I could use some help in getting my kids out of the store!
* Originally published on WrittenByMe in August of 2000. Bonnie Sayers, Editor of Autism Spectrum Disorders - http://autismspectrumdisorders.bellaonline.com
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Comments: 12
I understand & feel for you. My oldest son was severely ADHD, among a few other disabilities. Taking him to the store or bank was like taking five of the wrost behaved children in history. For me, I would have my Grandmother watch him if I had to go to the store. When I moved out of state all trips had to be made after my husband was home from work or on the weekend.
You deserve major praise for not giving up.
What a terrific Mom you must be !!
This sounds so familiar, only Bryan is in a wheelchair and I take his older brother with me. I fight for a while with Bryan to keep him with me and then give in to his brother taking him somewhere else in the store. Later I here them racing up and down the isles. I do alot after Dad gets home from work, it is just a lot easier.
sounds a lot like all children, as well!
Our youngest is 8. He is getting bigger. He has figured out how to get out of the cart. Thank heavens school has started and I can now go grocery shopping while they are in school.
As much of a trial as it is, its nice to know others have the same experience!