Supermarket Finds An Adorable Way To Help Autistic Boy Cope

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Supermarket Finds An Adorable Way To Help Autistic Boy Cope

While he may be a bit young to officially start working, this boy's experience in the supermarket is like none-other.

Dylan Russell is a 7-year-old boy that was diagnosed with autism last year.

The weekly trip to the supermarket had become an ordeal for him and his mom Michelle Finegan because Dylan needs to stick to a clear routine or he will become distressed and agitated.

When staff at the grocery store noticed Dylan clearing away the baskets to stop himself from getting anxious, they struck up a conversation with the boy.

"He loves coming shopping but he hates it at the same time," said his mom Michelle.

"It started in a different Asda - he loved pushing the trolley, loading food in and going to the toy aisle but he hates it at check out because he knows he has nothing to do and he starts getting agitated."

The mother-of-three used to make trips to the store in the early hours of the morning to make life easier.

To keep himself distracted and calm during checkout, Dylan started stacking the empty baskets near the till.

That's when Asda employee Gareth Hughes spotted him.

"He was such a friendly and pleasant lad and I chatted to him and his mum before they left," said Hughes. "I didn't think too much of it until the next week when he came in again, saw me and said "˜Hello Gareth, how are you?' I knew then I'd made a little friend!"

Continue to the next page to see what he did next.

Gareth encouraged him to undertake other tasks in the store during his visit.

"He made a song and dance of him, then he gave him the hand to show people the till was available," Michelle said. "The week after that he had a go on the checkout."

The employee went so far as to get Dylan his own name badge, which he loved so much he took it with him on a family vacation.

"We knew he would be coming back the week after so we made him a name badge which he loved and took home with him," said Hughes. "It's just been little things really to show him what we do and make him feel welcome when he comes to the store."

When they returned from their holiday, the store called and said that they arranged a special day for Dylan to work alongside Gareth and other staff at the supermarket.

On July 19, Dylan got a VIP store tour, made his own pizza, saw deliveries arrive and even got a peak inside the freezer.

Michelle said that the bond between her son and Gareth is amazing, because it takes a lot for her son to get used to people.

Thanks to the kindness of the store and Gareth's ability to go above and beyond, Dylan now looks forward to shopping trips to the supermarket.

"I can't thank Gareth enough for everything he's done for Dylan.The store tour was absolutely brilliant "“ Dylan loved it and we're so touched," said Michelle. "He's told everyone what Gareth has done for him and keeps saying "˜I've got a name badge'.He's even been telling everyone he works at Asda! He's in his element when he's in the store."

Sources: Echo / Good News Network