I was out shopping at a retail park and in one shop, a mum came in with her son (about 14/15 years age) he had severe complex needs, he was screaming at the top of his lungs, was knocking items off shelves as soon as he came in. It was so sad to see as he was clearly distressed and wasn’t coping with the noise environment
The mother was buying 1 item but there was a huge queue, the sales assistant let her in front to pay before everyone else but he kept running away from her. She was in complete panic mode and everyone was watching her.
As a mum of an autistic child myself my heart went out to her. When I came out of the shop her son was lying on the pavement still screaming and his mother was trying her best to calm him. People were just walking past. I decided to go and help, I told her my own personal situation and how much I understood how difficult these kind of situations are. She was happy for me to try and help. I asked him his name and what would help. He wanted his headphones. I bent down trying not to get into his space and calmly said his name asking if he wanted to get off the pavement and put his headphones on. He obliged very quickly and I asked if he wanted to sit on the bench to put his headphones on. He then proceeded to slap me right across my face.
I am wondering should I have even helped at all. Was too shocked to speak. I’m completely understanding I was a complete stranger but should I have just left them both alone? Don’t feel I helped the situation at all