• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Shopping on the spectrum

January 11, 2018
By Robyn Barberry
Filed Under: Blog, Unconditional

It took an accidental trip to the grocery store with a child psychologist to help me to see the world through my autistic child’s eyes. Generally, I’m in a hurry on my food shopping expeditions. This day was no exception. A friend and I arrived half an hour early by mistake to pick up our third graders from play practice. I needed to go to the store to purchase some materials for making salt dough, and the only reason I brought Frank with me was because I’d have big brother Collin to keep him on track. But by the time he got out, it would be too late for a shopping trip.It would be an understatement to say that it is difficult to go places with Frank. I seldom do it alone. He tends to wander off, exploring each and every aisle, looking for treasure or at least something to capture his attention for a fleeting moment. He likes to knock shampoo bottles of the shelves, giggling at the “plomp” sound they make as they hit the ground. I run after him yelling his name so many times that the people in the store start calling it, too. A kind stranger will tap me on the shoulder and whisper “he’s over there.” I’ll catch up to him, grab him by the collar and drag him beside me.

Shopping was easier when he was small enough to ride in a cart or be carried on my hip. Now that he weighs over 60 pounds, neither of those are an option.

Usually I leave him with another adult or ask Collin to help keep his brother under control, but on this particular Wednesday afternoon, I’d have to go it alone. Or so I thought. My friend, who was also waiting for her child to finish play practice, said that she had to go to the store, too, and invited us to come along. We only had twenty minutes, so we had to be quick (which, as you can imagine, isn’t easy with an autistic 5-year-old).

The shenanigans started the minute we walked through the automatic doors. As usual, Frank went right for the produce section, teeming with color and life. He wanted to point out each and every item and say what it was, loud enough for the cashiers to hear.

“No, Frank,” I told him. “Not today.”

I hated having to deny him the glory of God’s earth, seeing as most kids hate fruits and vegetables.

We headed off to the meat department as my friend was in search of a rotisserie chicken. Frank had stopped a few yards before us and was pointing up and saying something.

“C’mon, Frank,” I said. But, my friend, who was listening to him, responded.

“Yes, Frank!” she said. “I see the balloon, too!”

Sure enough way up in the rafters was a lone mylar Happy Birthday balloon. My friend stopped to point to it with Frank and ask him questions about it, like, “What color is it?” and “What do you think it says?”

While I grabbed the flour and salt, they talked about baking a cake. And he named the different brands of cereal in the cereal aisle. They even noticed another balloon stuck in the ceiling above the checkout lanes. As we exited through the automatic doors into a lobby, Frank pointed up at a mural I’d never seen before. It was a picture of glistening red tomatoes and other vegetables.

“Yes, Frank! I see it,” I said.

“Isn’t it amazing what they notice?” my friend asked. “They experience the world in a totally different way than we do. They see so much more.”

Now it made sense. When I’m on one of my shopping missions, my focus narrowed down to exactly which items I’m after on very specific shelves, I’m missing out on some beautiful and exciting things to witness and experience. I think instead of leaving Frank with someone else or dragging along the rest of my kids the next time I shop, I will just take Frank and plan for extra time to explore. I will take his lead and let him show me what the world looks like through his eyes.

Print Print

Primary Sidebar

Robyn Barberry

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Expert discusses serious harms of smartphones for children and how to limit their use

Cupcakes with 2025 graduation toothpicks in them and a bowl of cookies

Our 31-hour Road Trip

St. Paul and discovering that sin is ‘missing the mark’

Six lit candles on a chocolate birthday cake

Making a birthday wish come true

Pilgrims of Hope: Walking the Way of St. Francis in the Year of Jubilee

| Recent Local News |

Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including pastor and associate pastors

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Double the learning: Dual enrollment provides college credit to high school students

St. Mary’s purchases former Annapolis Area Christian School

Radio Interview: Exploring the Nicene Creed – Part Two

St. Clement Mary Hofbauer adapts to times, cultures as it celebrates 100th anniversary

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Expert discusses serious harms of smartphones for children and how to limit their use
  • Movie Review: Superman
  • Judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship order as part of class action lawsuit
  • Ukraine religious leaders issue ‘desperate cry’ to world to end Russia’s war
  • Pope Leo wears Chicago-made vestments to July 9 ‘care of creation’ Mass
  • Movie Review: Sorry, Baby
  • ICE deports Iowa parishioner to Guatemala homeland as supporters pray for his release
  • Come away and rest awhile
  • French woman hopes sharing mystical encounter with Minnesota Benedictine helps sainthood cause

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED