Reviewing Walmart's Sensory Hours | Autism Parenting

[@jadyn_sage]

I think having alternating hours every other day would be a great idea. So 8-10am & then 8-10pm. We have sensory friendly hours here, but it's only Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, which honestly I think excludes a lot of people

[@TheWeeFamily]

I think that is a great idea.

[@robylove9190]

I'm older and have disabilities. The sensory hours are good for me because the store is not as busy so it's easier for me to get around. I enjoy that it's quieter. The timing is good because I am an early riser. My best friend doesn't go during those hours because she is not an early riser.

[@darceyheath263]

I have seizures and Led light's set my seizures off. That's when really hang on cart !! And yes see troubles. With your daughter different thing's I always hope she pulls through I like watching your show

[@leylahigdon9444]

I am glad you understand that the goal for Walmart is to help people with needs like your daughters. And I've noticed she is equipped with headphones to help with noise..but I think your expectations don't take into account that to accommodate everyone is challenging. My elderly mother also has sleep issues yet has always been an early riser which she still does regardless of how she slept( or didn't). You will notice many elderly people out early to avoid those that prefer to do errands later in the day or sleep in. Since you are young you need to remember that elderly people also face challenges that don't coexist with your recommendations. Their eyesight is diminished where dimmer light can greatly reduce their ability to see. Labels can't be read as easily and possible hazards in the way can cause serious falls . And while not many like the buzz of cheap lights, I'm sure Walmart tries to cut costs where it can to keep prices low and im glad you help your daughter with headphones. There are many though that are hearing impaired and rely on the sound when checking out to know if the product scanned. I find myself even relying on the sound when trying to self checkout to know if it scanned. Bottom line, it's very hard to accommodate everyone. I know how you want your daughter to gain skills that help her navigate the world..while others might be losing that independence they once had and rely on what they can to still get by. Something to think about ..

[@jadyn_sage]

@@leylahigdon9444 You're right, you can't accommodate everyone. That's impossible. These hours are specifically marketed as 'sensory-friendly' shopping hours. To be competely blunt & honest, if other people who don't need those accommodations are negatively impacted by the changes, they need to choose another time out of of the (typically) 14 hours total that Walmart is open, to shop. This is 2 hours out of the day. I do actually agree that the time of day isn't great, and David addressed this as well. I'd love to see a combination of morning & evening sensory hours available, like maybe alternating days. Your comment about seniors choosing those hours because it's quieter very much feels like "well they were there first"

[@serendipitysisters84]

There’s always room for improvement! (:

[@serendipitysisters84]

@@jadyn_sage That is an interesting concept! Are people affected negatively by lack of sensory input? I guess I am always happy with less sensory input, unless it’s within my control, so I have never thought about that! Maybe some people would fall asleep while shopping if there is no sounds! But also, they could listen to their own music if that’s the case. 🤔

[@jadyn_sage]

@@serendipitysisters84 Read the comment I'm responding to here for more context. That person was talking about people (specifically seniors) who rely on the brighter lighting in order to see better because their eyesight often isn't as good. They go on to say that many people also rely on the beeps from the self check out machines as a confirmation that their item is scanned properly. It's not about "lack of sensory input".

[@emilyking4580]

I think target should do it too because my staff takes me there. Sometimes really bright lights can cause a headache for me. For self checkout I love using the price guns because I can see if an item is scanned better. They could also try a volume control for the beeping

[@serenast.germain3469]

The beeping won’t ever change they do that for a specific reason

[@tonybrogan7436]

our walmart does this its awesome. we need to get target to do this. thats his favorite store

[@TheWeeFamily]

Target seems to be very inclusive with their advertising. I feel like it’s only a matter of time before that add sensory hours.

[@piezdabacon839]

This is really considerate of walmart! Here in Greece people dont even provide u care if ur autistic , even the level 3 kids dont get all the support they need sadly,... thankfully tho i dont have troubles at grocery stores but theres people who do and i know many of them and i hope my country does that at super markets too, it would be awesome to have. Also sorry for the bad grammar

[@TheWeeFamily]

Hopefully we see a change in the world. Groceries are a need and should be accessible for everyone.

[@Malgal]

I saw some fire stations give out sensory kits

[@jacquicoder7160]

We shop at several Walmarts in our area but never between 8 and 10 am so I don't know if any of them do the sensory hours. I do think it is commendable that they are doing it but I hope they will consider your suggestions as well.

[@jeanmorgan5410]

Cynthiana Kentucky Walmart does it we even have two Carolyn carts for use for autistic children and disabled kids up to 350 lbs

[@tyreesetjjoyner1995]

Much love and support

[@michellevincent8338]

I wish they would do this in Canada too!

[@mariposavioleta9007]

I'm in Canada and have not seen this at the Walmart's in my area. I go first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds as much as possible. There is a store in a neighbouring community that has one day a week with 6-8pm sensory hours and has lowered lights as part of their sensory hours. Due to my symptoms after brain injuries I do relate with the autism community a lot but the hearing aspect is different for me being close to legally deaf. I wear special tinted glasses to deal with the lights

[@serenast.germain3469]

But you don’t have autism so how can you relate to a community you’re not part of. Also ya I’m in BC Canada. None of the stores have this. I think they should

[@shannacraft4099]

🌸 I commented in one of your videos about Walmart - I'm in SC and I heard about it and shared information with you. 💙💙💙

[@Peg79]

It is awesome that they take the time to do that! Don't really know if stores around here do it. 😊❤

[@debian1983]

We have sensory hour in Australia the turn scanner beeps off dim the lights and no music and let people know when it starts and ends

[@TheWeeFamily]

That is awesome.

[@Nana_Tink]

That's great Walmart doing something right❤

[@erichenry9101]

That’s nice of Walmart

[@MelissaTheButterfly]

🎉🎉🎉That's Amazing!! My son would luv!! This!! 💙

[@Stormbrise]

Even with this, I refuse to shop at Wally World. The way they treat their workers is not enough for me to get on board with this. I had a relative work there, and they went through hell. Also, working hours start in t he US at 8 am, so…. Not good for us working autistics. I prefer maybe 8 pm time. I know the local shops here in DK less crowded hours and I go during those times. These sensory hours started in a grocery store in the UK, Daniel talked about it a lot at his local Tesco.

[@bryanbearsley8456]

i love going shopping

[@AmeliaEarhart53756]

One time I went to Walmart and it was extremely loud because they had a literal DJ there, and I was really struggling with all the noise and stuff. Haven't seen a DJ there since (this was pretty recent), but I have started wearing headphones inside there (my father's always like "take your headphones off!") I've noticed that when I wear headphones inside places, I'm more alert and pay attention to stuff better than when I'm not wearing them. Also, I'm not sure how I'd handle the sensory hours, because even though I don't like loud noises, I cannot handle silence either.

[@michellevincent8338]

Grocery stores could be helpful as ell..as everybody needs food…and has to take their kids from time to time to the grocery store ..and adults with sensory issues must also get food.

[@mariannejennisch9293]

I wish stores even without sensory issues would do something with the music it’s always too loud.

[@caitlynchen3815]

My thing was the morning hours. It’s a lot for me as a workings autistic and more often than not evening is more likely for me to get there than mornings. I’ve only hit the sensory hours twice.

[@Dave_Menz_p4p_number_1]

Did you ever have issues with her yelling or being very loud in the house stimming when you and your wife were trying to speak and how did you handle that

[@CarlieMaria28]

The walmart near the vacation home neighbourhood i stay at in Orlando has sensory hours. Is it for all walmarts nationwide?

[@TheWeeFamily]

Yes, it is nationwide.

[@Malgal]

The buzzing sound frustrates me

[@michellevincent8338]

Headphone would be great as well, but I know the other side would be fear that some people would take those home ….not everybody who really needs them but some others are not always as honest .sadly

[@TheWeeFamily]

In a perfect world, an organization would fund the headphones, sunglasses, and fidgets so if they were needed (maybe the family can’t afford them) they could keep them so they can have the same accessibility elsewhere. Headphone can make a difference at home too. B uses them for vacuuming 😊.

[@michellevincent8338]

@ I totally agree with you…I too have an autistic son . But I’m thinking the flip side arguments from the stores as well.

[@brittanydaniels1102]

It would be nice to do this from 8 pm to 10 pm since not everyone is an early riser and/or works when Walmart is doing their sensory hours from 8 am to 10 am.

[@serendipitysisters84]

Oh wow, I honestly feel like there should already be no music in stores. I personally have a hard time concentrating like that! Especially if it’s a song I know hahah.

[@serenast.germain3469]

But the thing is, especially with the sensory kits. Parents or people that are affected by lights, sounds etc. you should be prepared for all of that will sunglasses if the lights r too bright. Or headphones to help the sound. You can’t expect store to change everything for 2 hours. Be happy they r doing anything. I’m in Canada. BC, we have no stores that do anything like this. I am sure I am on the autism spectrum but cuz I have to pay for the assessment I can’t get tested. But sounds bother me a lot. If I’m even going for a walk I have my headphones on. Music going. I can’t stand Walmart or any stores if it’s crazy busy so I go to Walmart at night so it’s less busy and not so many people. I am not a people person.

[@MakenzieVandersanden]

Hi my Walmart does not have sensory hour times And I always have sensory issues with it And I have level 2 autism

[@kavitadeva]

Hi David Please please answer this question. I still do not understand. Do other people beside people with Autism have sensory issues or sensory processing disorder? Because there's so many other disabilities beside autism. I was curious why would they do all that for autism but not for other kinds of disabilities. For instance, I've had to call corporate Walmart, to provide more than one shopping mobility scooter with the basket. I can't even get around the big Walmarts on foot. Anyways also I wanted to ask you, what is sensory processing disorder because every autistic child is as you told us, is just one autistic child. everybody is different thank you for addressing this. I hope you will answer this. I've always wanted to know about sensory processing disorder. Thank you, David

[@Java-D]

Many people become overstimulated with too much sensory input. Not just autistics.

[@brittanydaniels1102]

Sensory processing disorder is not an accepted disability diagnosis here in the USA.

[@brittanydaniels1102]

Sensory Processing Disorder is not an accepted disability diagnosis. As a low income autistic woman without an intellectual disability with four other disability diagnosis, sensory processing issues are a part of the diagnosis criteria for autism. Autistic people cannot be diagnosed as having a sensory processing disorder here in the USA at all.

[@janaedeason3828]

Like the 8 and 9 at night because my daughter and son are not morning people.

[@TheWeeFamily]

I saw a great suggestion of alternating days. One day AM and the next PM. That would be amazing.

[@kaelendra]

I don’t know of any who actually like fluorescent lights yet they continue to be used almost everywhere…. The brightness, the flickering, the noise…. Sure most only have one or two of the issues with them and most it’s not truly painful to them but just because they’re cheap or easy doesn’t make it okay imho…. I don’t think /anyone/ likes how much loud beeping there is either…. So many things help more than just autistics and those with sensory issues yet companies don’t do anything about it and the little they do is done only small amount of time at inconvenient times. In Canada far as I know Walmart only does til 10am 3 weekdays a week. Not enough by far…. I don’t personally think it’s something to be yay for the companies at this point imho as the biggest issue is I think most of this kind of thing is performative… a lot of what they do costs them little to nothing and may even save them money at times. It’s like companies with exp for employees and such that do the least they can yet talk loudly about what they are doing. Those same companies also break disability laws about accommodations or ignore when parts of their company does. Places need to stop doing a bare minimum.

[@Supereneat]

They need to have more hours the music should be a lot lower its so overwhelming

[@karentorrez9251]

This is what i found when I googled it hope it helps To stop a fluorescent light from buzzing, the most common solution is to replace the ballast within the fixture, as this component is often the source of the buzzing noise; you may also need to replace the fluorescent bulb itself, especially if it's old or damaged; additionally, check for loose connections within the fixture and tighten them if necessary.