A grandmother has praised an Iceland worker for an act of kindness which transformed her distressed grandson into a beaming tot. Gemma Worrall told how her non-verbal grandson, Isiyah, who has autism regularly has meltdowns as he becomes frustrated.
With it happening often when they shop Gemma says they are subject to disapproving looks. But when the two-year-old had a "meltdown" inside the Droylsden store last month she was left overwhelmed by the reaction of staff.
Far from the "stares and judgemental looks" she is used to, one member of staff came over, spoke directly to Isiyah and calmed him down. She then went and got him an ice-lolly from the storeroom which left him with his cheery grin, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Now Gemma is saying a big thank you to the worker saying: “An act of kindness like that can really make someone's day. She may have seen it a simple gesture, but to me and Isiyah's mum it was so much more.”
The grandmother told how they had not been inside the shop for long when the tot became distressed. He began crying loudly, drawing “stares and judgemental looks” from other shoppers.
As Isiyah screamed, he was approached by the Iceland employee who managed to calm him instantly before going and getting him a lolly cheer him up. Gemma, who lives in Audenshaw, said: “When Isiyah has his meltdowns, he screams very loudly to let you know his frustration as he can't communicate, he cries, gets very emotional and gets very distressed.
"It does happen a lot while shopping and normally I'd just leave the shop, which is what his mum has had to do on many occasions as well. The stares, the judgemental looks and hostility from other people is enough to make you leave.
"She spoke to him at first and she was very calm when speaking to him so he calmed down instantly as he was intrigued by her. After she spoke to him, she asked me if it was ok for him to have an ice lolly and then she went to the staff area at the back of the shop to get him an ice lolly and once she had given it to him, he had a big smile on his face, as she wasn't aware but she'd given him one of his favourite ice lollies.
“I was taken aback and quite emotional as was his mum when I told her. The negative reaction you get when he has these meltdowns is all we are used to receiving and it can be really upsetting, especially for my daughter, being a first-time mum. This was the first time someone had been so compassionate, kind and non-judgemental.”
Autistic meltdowns are a response to the mind or body feeling overwhelmed and they may appear to happen without warning. While all children have meltdowns, for those with autism these may be stronger, longer-lasting, more frequent and difficult to manage.
Gemma said the act of kindness had made a difference to her as well. She said: “I was able to get the few things I had come in for which was the food for my grandson's favourite meal and get out of the shop with him still completely calm and eating his ice lolly.”
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