Local opticians supports people living with autism

Staff at Specsavers across Plymouth and Saltash have completed a course,
developed with The National Autistic Society, to support customers with autism.

The initiative, which is being rolled out across Specsavers stores nationwide, aims to build the team’s knowledge about the lifelong developmental disability, while helping to improve the customer experience for people with autism and their carers.

The online learning modules cover understanding autism, communicating with people with autism, how autism can impact the senses, and adjustments that stores can make.

Dr Josie Forte, store director at Specsavers Plymouth, believes the training is vital; ‘Autism affects more than one in 100 people and as our stores are such a big part of the community, it is vital that we can communicate and support someone with the condition in the most effective way possible.

Gail Walker, in-store trainer at Specsavers Plymstock, says: ‘It’s important that all customers’ needs are recognised. We often think of autism in children but rarely do we consider adults with autism, and this qualification will help staff recognise and identify specific needs.’

The National Autistic Society’s business development manager, Sharlene Wright, says: ‘This has been a great opportunity for us to increase awareness of autism in partnership with an organisation that is proactively seeking to enable autistic people to have a positive experience in its stores. It has been an inspiring collaboration.

'The National Autistic Society welcomes the open attitudes and minds with which Specsavers is seeking to enhance the lives of people on the autism spectrum.’