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. 2023 Dec 12;5(4):411–422. doi: 10.1089/aut.2022.0024

Table 3.

Summary of Case Study Analysis Evidencing the Six Principles in Supermarkets, the Most Identified Disabling Environment

Case: Supermarkets
Sensoryscape High sensory burden, sustained and inescapable input, and uncontrollable environment
 Example Bright unnatural light, shiny floors, visual information from products; noise from checkouts, customers, trolleys, announcements, and background music; smells. Quiet hours can be more enabling, as this reduces the burden of the sensory input.
Space Busy and crowded, and confined built environment
 Example People often brush up against you. Can be more tolerable at quieter times and if the built environment is more spread out.
Predictability Uncertainty, inconsistent and unfamiliar, and lack of information
 Example The layout and arrangement of products is often changed, which heighten sensory challenges. Would be helpful to know about changes in advance (e.g., map of new layout), as knowing the layout in advance can limit the time spent in an overwhelming sensory environment.
Understanding Unsupportive people, and misunderstanding and judgment
 Example Staff lack understanding of sensory processing and autism, which makes it difficult to access support. Individuals feel judged for accessing existing supports (e.g., quiet hours). This could be improved by not only training staff in autism and sensory processing, but also supporting improvements in customer awareness.
Adjustments Unsuitable adjustments, pace pressures, and inflexible communication
 Example Feeling overwhelmed by the sensory environment can make the fast pace and spoken language requirements at staffed checkouts challenging for individuals. Self-checkouts or scan-as-you-shop can be more enabling as speaking to staff can be avoided. The Sunflower Lanyard currently seems tokenistic, as it does not result in adequate adjustments and quiet hours should be made more widely accessible for a range of individuals.
Recovery No space to escape, and unable to prepare and recover
 Example Individuals can feel trapped in some supermarkets and unable to escape for a break if feeling overwhelmed (e.g., if there are barriers at checkouts).

We also developed case studies in other commonly disabling sensory environments: Eateries; Highstreets and City/town centers; Public transport; Health care settings.