stealing from shop

5 replies

onlyjoking9329 · 10/10/2004 20:14

my DD 10 years with autism stole a soft toy today, we didn't see her take it and we always check her before leaving shops, we were sitting in an ice cream shop when she pulled out this soft toy, i took her back to the shop had a quiet word with the lady explained that DD has SN
but she needed to know that stealing was wrong, got my DD to hand toy over and she did the sign for sorry DD looked like she might cry, i am hoping she won't steal again but you know autism do something once and feel the need to do it all the time, anyone got any thoughts on anything i could do anyone had this problem?

OP posts:

CleanKittyCat · 10/10/2004 20:33

My ds (AS child) did this when he was smaller. he saw a toy that he wanted and put it under his sisters stroller (in basket) and we walked out of the shop with it. Went back to shop with it and apologised and they were very nice about it. Explained to DS that this was wrong and he hung his head, (Ashamed).

He never did again though.

Hope this helped

Original poster

onlyjoking9329 · 10/10/2004 21:00

thanks, my DD looked sad but the shop lady looked
happy that she had brought it back, i wouldn't have been surprised if the lady had given her the toy anyway, but that would have made things worse i think

OP posts:

Davros · 11/10/2004 12:58

Did you reward her for taking it back? Just some choc or a nice milkshake or something? Otherwise she may only perceive it as a negative experience and not learn anything from it. Don't know what she's like though. My DS is always picking up sweets etc in our local Budgens, most of the time he puts it in the basket when asked to or hands it to the check out person but now and then gets away with a mini pack of Refreshers or something, I don't worry too much about that and ignore it.

Original poster

onlyjoking9329 · 11/10/2004 13:50

she got lots of praise for taking it back, didn't give her any other type of reward cos not
sure she would understand the reward was for returning the item or if she would think it was for stealing the item! plus her brother and sister were also there so needed to give them a clear message too.

OP posts:

Davros · 11/10/2004 14:04

Don't think you can do much more then. You're right about not giving her choc or something too

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