Mum's daughter has meltdown in Sainsbury's – then is floored by man's reaction (2025)

Jessica, four, is non-verbal and often uses a special pram, and was in Sainsbury's in Morecambe when she started to have a meltdown after being told 'no' by her mum

The mother of a young girl with autism has spoken out after a fellow shopper responded negatively to her daughter's meltdown in the supermarket.

Carlie Middlesbrough had taken her four-year-old daughter Jessica, who is non-verbal and often uses a special pram, to Sainsbury's in Morecambe on Sunday morning (April 13). Jessica promptly "ran off to the toy aisle" but began to have a meltdown when her mum told her "no". As they navigated the Lancaster Road store for groceries, Jessica threw herself on the floor, screaming and kicking at her mum.

"We'd gone to get her some more tea cakes which are one of only a few things she'll eat," Carlie, 39, told LancsLive. "When she wanted to look at the toys I said 'not today' and she started kicking and screaming."

She continued: "This man then walked past, slowed down and stopped, and then shook his head really obviously and disapprovingly. I said 'what are you looking at, she's autistic' and he then said 'who do you think you're talking to?'."

Carlie was visibly shaken by the incident, although several people approached her afterwards to check if she was alright, reports Lancs Live.

Despite visiting Sainsbury's "most days", where the staff are aware of Jessica's condition and are supportive, this isn't the first time Carlie has encountered such rudeness from other shoppers. "It's happened loads of times," she added.

"I'm not one to get upset but it does make me angry and sometimes I have to hold back." One local shopper, Lynne Harrison Faraday, expressed her solidarity on a community Facebook group after witnessing the scene.

She expressed: "Take no notice of the disapproving stares, the tutting, the remarks, my husband heard you tell a man who stood and stared that your precious little girl had autism and he needs to stop staring.

"I tried to find you to see if you needed a hand with anything, but you had left, I hope you are okay, as a nana of a beautiful little grandson who goes to the Loyne School, I totally understand, it's just a pity others don't."

Chatting with LancsLive, Lynne disclosed: "I have worked with students with autism for a lot of years, and my gorgeous eight-year-old grandson has autism, he is non verbal, and goes to the Loyne Specialist School, we all adore him."

One comment from one individual hinted they might be the male shopper from the store. They critiqued: "Way too many excuses made for unruly and badly behaved children these days. I will continue to look how I choose and won't be shamed into reducing my standards on good behaviour to suit today's poor parenting and children with 'issues'."

Carlie, another parent of an autistic child, appealed for greater understanding, hoping that sharing experiences can shed light on the realities of autism.

Jessica's diagnosis of autism at the age of one came after her mum, Carlie, observed familiar signs that were reminiscent of those shown by her son as a toddler. These cues encompassed behaviours such as organising her toys in lines, missing developmental benchmarks, and a delay in starting to speak.

"You shouldn't have to walk around with a sign on your forehead saying 'I'm autistic'," she stated. "People need to be kinder to each other and not judgemental."