The best way strangers can help is to help with the OTHER management issues while I deal with my kiddo. Move my cart forward to keep the line going, show quiet understanding, give my other child a quick guidance to the right spot to be, etc.

As parents, we best understand our child with autism and how to deal with meltdowns. Someone unfamiliar with our child, even a specialist, stepping up to help in public, can inadvertently aggravate rather than calm our child.

However, help with anything and everything else around the situation, so that we can focus on our child's needs, is very appreciated!

many times, at the checkout register, dirty looks were given or comments made..I felt embarrassed, and unable to speak up for fear of I might cry...or might say something tht Iwould later regret..But hind sight, if someone would have just offered kind words, "it's ok, kids are a handful, dont worry about it..I'm not in a hurry..or don't worry about us, you just handle the situation..it will all be ok"...instead, quite the opposite!!! Today, if I saw someone, I would offer to help. "how can I help ..can I push your cart for you while you take care of him/her?" just something..it can totally turn around the emotions of the environment/other people..maybe, like others in comments before, who wish they had done something, it maight encourge others to step forward. We all need help and compassion, not dirty loks and hurtful words.

Believe me I see the dirty looks and feel so frustrated with people that dont even stop to think there may be good reason for whats going on. My son is very big and strong for three and it is often times very hard for me my main concern is to not let him get hurt. I would feel good if someone offered help although I agree a stranger would make the situation worse for my son they definitely couldnt touch him! He would freak! Just the offer lets you know someone out there cares and understands!

Just ask her, how can I help and let her tell you what would be of help.

sometimes the help that is offered ( i get offered stickers all the time to try to calm my child - my child can give a crap about stickers) is more of a nuisance than help. Sometimes my child needs to be ignored - seriously and let himself work out his frustration, and after a couple minutes he's fine. People giving him attention trying to calm him down only fuels his fire. But in the case where the person is struggling with other things or another child, I would be more than happy to accept or offer help. If my child was running away, I would be more than happy for someone to stop them and ask where mom or dad was. Even just the simple task of holding a door open for someone really can make them feel like people do care.