Mom calls for autism-friendly checkout lanes

PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia mom is changing the shopping game for parents with children on the autism spectrum.

Kristin Jackowski has a five-year-old daughter with autism. Jackowski said that getting through typical checkout lanes is difficult for the little girl -- the influx of candy and items usually for sale in the lanes are complete sensory overload.

"She has low impulse-control," Jackowski told Philly Mag. describing how her daughter would grab at the candy and have a meltdown when she wasn't able to keep it.

Her solution? A sensory-friendly checkout line, one that ditches the sugary foods and is stocked with stress balls, balloons and other sensory-friendly items.

Jackowski took to Change.org to create a petition that calls for the different type of checkout line, one that would "promote a sense of inclusion and create a smoother shopping experience overall."

The mom of three has already scored a victory -- Jackowski posted on her Facebook page Wednesday that a ShopRite in Brookhaven, Pennsylvania had implemented a handicap accessible and sensory friendly checkout line at the store.

"I'm so glad that standing up and asking for change actually does work," Jackowski wrote, "I have a feeling many large retailers will follow suit."

The petition specifically calls on Target to add the sensory friendly lanes, click here if you'd like to sign. 

Cox Media Group