Mother Thanks Kind McDonald’s Employee for Helping Calm Her Daughter with Autism
When children with autism become overwhelmed, it can lead to meltdowns that can be difficult for parents to navigate. Recently, a McDonald’s employee in the United Kingdom went above and beyond to help a mother whose daughter was having such a moment.
Candice Hudspith, who lives in the town of Birtley, was headed into a McDonald’s restaurant in Gateshead when her 4-year-old daughter Harper began screaming and saying no. In a Facebook post, she said Harper – who has autism – had been doing well for a few weeks but had recently been triggered. As the situation unfolded, Hudspith said she felt eyes moving toward her as the “mother with the screaming child.” That’s when an employee named Rachel came to her aid.
Hudspith wrote, “Rachel, one of the workers, said, ‘Oh wow, I think I have a flag. Would you like one?’ And she looked at me and said, ‘You’re doing an amazing job.'”
After this interaction, Harper ran to hide underneath a seat, and Rachel followed her over. Hudspith says Rachel laid on the floor with some crayons and paper and began drawing, asking Harper which colors were her favorite. This helped calm Harper, who stopped crying and ultimately came out five minutes later. The two then spent upwards of half an hour together, with Hudspith thanking the kind employee, who just said it was her job and the highlight of her week. The interaction left the grateful mother in tears.
She says, “I literally burst into tears. I felt like I didn’t even have to say that she has autism, it was like she read my mind. It was so lovely what she was doing.
“I don’t think Rachel realized how good her customer service was. It may sound like nothing to others but it meant the world to me. Absolutely outstanding service.”
In addition to praising Rachel for her kindness, Hudspith hopes the story brings more awareness to autism. She stresses that a diagnosis is key in getting a child the help they need to thrive, and that with the support she’s been given, Harper has been able to make good progress.
