Christmas shopping undoubtedly has an element of excitement and fun but it can also be pretty stressful. For autistic people and their caregivers, stress and anxiety can often outweigh the fun part but there are many ways that this can be minimised or even avoided altogether.

Medigarments Ltd Sensory Hug® Mini in the Bulldog theme

Shopping in general can sometimes be difficult for autistic people, especially children, to manage. When the shops look very different to how they usually look, loaded with sensory stimulation, the problems can be magnified. Though shopping online can be a solution, it isn't suitable for some and so the following tips are designed to help those who choose to shop at physical stores.  

Autistic people can sometimes struggle with the unexpected, so planning is absolutely key to helping them understand what to expect. Use technology to your advantage, you could take a trip to a store on your own, using your mobile phone camera to create a virtual 'tour' to show to your child. Perhaps try taking a virtual trip to the store together using the street view function on Google Maps. 

If you're able to, try avoiding a single longer shopping trip, as the extended time spent doing so may cause sensory overload. Instead, make several shorter tips and discuss with your child in advance which stores you plan to visit. Each trip can be slightly longer than the previous one as the child's confidence increases. 

Make sure that the child is feeling rested and calm before heading out. As autism awareness has increased in recent years, many stores have autism-friendly times, where a more relaxed environment has been created. Check the store's website to see if and when this service is offered. If it isn't, give them a call and strongly suggest that it should be!

You know your own child better than anyone and so you can be ready to deal with any potential triggers. A pair of headphones will help if they struggle with loud sounds while a pair of sunglasses or a brimmed hat can help if light is an issue. Many autistic children have a favourite toy or other object that calms them so make sure you have it with you.

Medigarments Ltd Sensory Hug® Mini in the Mermaid theme

The constantly cuddly sensation with the Sensory Hug® 

Specialised dynamic Lycra^® garments from our leading SDO® collection, including our groundbreaking Sensory Hug®, are especially good at reducing the sensory-seeking behaviour patterns associated with autism.

The sensory and proprioceptive feedback dynamic Lycra^® garments provide has been repeatedly proven to reduce overactivity, anxiety, restlessness and other negative patterns of sensory-seeking behaviour. These marked decreases directly result in corresponding increases in things like attentiveness, concentration, body awareness, stability, independence, calmness, coping ability and general functioning.

Please browse the Medigarments Ltd website to purchase your Sensory Hug^® today and look forward to a happy and meltdown-free Christmas shopping experience!

What is dynamic Lycra®

For clinical professionals wishing to learn more about dynamic Lycra^®, please reach out to our expert team. We are happy to discuss how SDO^® dynamic Lycra^® garments from The World of SDO® can have a positive, lasting impact on the lives of people with neurological disorders.

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SDO^® Original, SDO^® Lite and the Sensory Hug^® are part of The World of SDO^® Sensory Dynamic Orthosis range of dynamic Lycra^® compression garments by Medigarments Ltd. SDO^®, Sensory Hug^® and Sensory Dynamic Orthosis™ are trademarks of Medigarments Ltd.