'By the end I'd be in tears': Mother of autistic children praises supermarket for introducing 'quiet hour' with no music, dim lighting and less trolleys to make shopping easier

  • A supermarket has introduced a 'quiet hour' for shoppers dealing with autism
  • Countdown supermarket in New Zealand transforms once a week for an hour
  • Music is turned off, lighting is dimmed and there are less trolleys in aisles 

A supermarket has introduced a 'quiet hour' for shoppers with autism - meaning no music, softer lighting and less trolleys to jostle for position with.

Countdown supermarket in Marton on New Zealand's North Island transforms once a week from 3pm until 4pm on Wednesdays. 

Ayesha Middleton shops at Marton Countdown with her two children Harry, 9, and Sophie, 8, who are both on the autism spectrum.

She told Daily Mail Australia most shopping trips would leave her in tears.

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Ayesha Middleton shops at Marton Countdown with her two children Harry, 9 , and Sophie, 8 (pictured), who are both on the autism spectrum

Ayesha Middleton shops at Marton Countdown with her two children Harry, 9 , and Sophie, 8 (pictured), who are both on the autism spectrum

She told Daily Mail Australia most shopping trips with her children would leave her in tears

She told Daily Mail Australia most shopping trips with her children would leave her in tears

Countdown supermarket in Marton on New Zealand's North Island transforms once a week from 3pm until 4pm on Wednesdays

Countdown supermarket in Marton on New Zealand's North Island transforms once a week from 3pm until 4pm on Wednesdays

Other shoppers would often stare, point or comment rudely on her son's behaviour

Other shoppers would often stare, point or comment rudely on her son's behaviour

'When we first got out of the car, Harry would become quite tense. Then once we'd get into the shop by the second or third aisle he would yell and vocalise a lot,' she said.

'He'd be grabbing things off the shelf, and by the end I'd be in tears in the car and we'd have to leave early. It escalates his behaviour when I get tense.

'To not be able to do something that everyone else takes for granted is so hard.'

Grocery shopping proved to be such a challenge that Mrs Middleton decided to do it online instead.

Other shoppers would often stare, point or comment rudely on her son's behaviour.

Mrs Middleton said the quiet hours have changed her life.

'Everything is so much calmer. We are able to leave on a high, without a meltdown which is very rare.' 

Every second light in the shop is turned off and all lights in the chillers and freezer units are also switched off which makes the fans quieter.

Every second light in the shop is turned off and all lights in the chillers and freezer units are also switched off which makes the fans quieter

Every second light in the shop is turned off and all lights in the chillers and freezer units are also switched off which makes the fans quieter

Music is turned off and there are no staff pushing carts around the store

Music is turned off and there are no staff pushing carts around the store

Music is turned off and there are no staff pushing carts around the store.   

Mrs Middleton took to Facebook to express her gratitude at being able to shop with her son Harry.

'What a great idea, it was so quiet and my son had a great time, it was wonderful to have your store acknowledge how challenging it can be for a person with autism in such a sensory environment,' she posted.

In November, Coles rolled out quiet shopping hours to help customers with autism.

Mrs Middleton took to Facebook to express her gratitude at being able to shop with her son Harry

Mrs Middleton took to Facebook to express her gratitude at being able to shop with her son Harry

Selected stores had their lights dimmed by 50 per cent and were 'judgment-free zones' between 10.30am and 11.30am.

'At Coles, we are always looking at ways we can meet the differing needs of our customers by creating a shopping environment in which our customers and team members feel comfortable,' Coles Accessibility Sponsor Peter Sheean told the publication.

The quiet shopping hour will mean the selected supermarkets will lower their sensory experience for shoppers and will avoid making announcements over the PA, except in emergencies. 

Mrs Middleton's son Harry lives with autism, and she said shopping with him can often be a challenge

Mrs Middleton's son Harry lives with autism, and she said shopping with him can often be a challenge

 

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