Asperger syndrome (AS) is a form of autistic spectrum disorders (ASD), which are characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction and the presence of narrowly focused and repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities. People with AS often experience peculiarities in sensory processing that manifest as hypo- or hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli. Sensory hypersensitivity, which we focused on in this master's thesis, is often associated with avoiding certain situations and spaces, which significantly affects the independence of people with AS. An indicator of independence is also grocery shopping. Due to sensory peculiarities, grocery stores are a demanding environment for people with AS, and with sensory adjustments we can positively influence their independence in shopping. In Slovenia, sensory adaptations of space are focused on schools and kindergartens, while abroad they are already being extended to other public spaces, such as shops. In the theoretical part, they also presented examples of good practice of sensory adaptation of stores abroad.
In the empirical part, we found out which sensory factors in stores are the most disturbing for adults with AS, what way of shopping they use most often and whether this is related to the identified hypersensitivity to selected stimuli in stores. Based on this, we summarized guidelines for store adjustments that could be implemented in practice. Data were obtained using a non-standardized questionnaire, and 26 people with AS participated in the study.
The results showed that for adults with AS, the most disturbing sensory factors in grocery stores are crowd, changing the position of products, a mixture of different sounds, narrow passages between shelves, and too many visible stimuli at once. In the latter, we also found differences according to the place of residence - people living in rural areas show a higher degree of hypersensitivity to a mixture of visible stimuli in grocery stores. Most often, food for adults with AS is bought by someone else, followed by independent shopping in physical stores and shopping with the support of another person, and least often, food is bought in online stores. We found differences according to age group, younger people shop less independently in physical stores and more with the support of another person. Supported shopping is used statistically significantly more by those who live with their parents and by those who have expressed a higher degree of hypersensitivity to a mixture of visual stimuli. We have not proven other connection between sensory hypersensitivity to selected stimuli and the frequency of certain shopping methods.
From the results, we formed guidelines for store adjustments. Following the example from abroad, we recommend the introduction of 'sensory-friendly hours’, during which the store is less crowded, and the amount and intensity of sound and visual stimuli are reduced. The website should list the times when the store is less crowded and a map for easier orientation and product search should be accessible. The position of the products should be constant, and the facilities should be arranged in such a way that there is less possibility of physical contact between visitors (e.g., wider passages between shelves).
The present work is the first such research in Slovenia and provides insight into the ways of shopping for food in people with AS as one of the indicators of independence and their hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli in stores. In it, we evaluate the current situation and propose
changes in the sensory environment to enable greater independence and quality of life for people with AS.
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