Teen Employee Knows Just What To Do When Girl with Autism Breaks Down in Shoe Store
Exuding understanding and compassion ought to be standard requirements for anyone who works in customer service.
Sadly, we encounter rude people everywhere. People are impatient or short-tempered, and they can be on either side of the register.
One young man from England has been a true example of how a little kindness can go a long way.
Eighteen-year-old Jacob Tayler was working at a Clarks shoe store in Bicester when a little girl started crying and throwing what seemed to be a fit.
All parents have been there. We see the eye rolls and hear the huffs from others who don’t bother and stop to consider we might need some help or grace in the situation.
Tayler had grace, though. He walked right up to the girl and her mother, Dawn Brown, and started talking to them.
A teenage clerk patiently helped when a girl with autism had a sensory overload in a shoe store – CNN https://t.co/akbIAJcLfe
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) May 29, 2019
As it turns out, the girl has autism and was experiencing a “sensory overload.”
“I was asked to measure a little girl’s feet,” Tayler told BBC. “I didn’t know she had autism but she wasn’t responding very well.”
Their interaction turned out to be just what the girl needed. Tayler helped her try on shoes and even explained why they wouldn’t feel as comfortable as her other shoes at first.
“He patiently sat while she cried,” Brown wrote in an email to the store, praising Tayler for his kindness. “He didn’t once make us feel like we were taking too long or being a nuisance.”
Tayler was presented with a “celebration alert” from Clarks for his “outstanding customer service.” His dad, James Fibble, tweeted a photo of the job well done.
I’m ridiculously proud of both of my children, but my 18 year old son was presented with this at his Saturday job yesterday and I might be a little choked up. pic.twitter.com/BpNUY6098b
— james flibble (@JamesFlibble) May 26, 2019
Brown commented on the now-viral tweet, saying, “I am so so happy that Jacob got this recognition, he totally deserves this. You should be incredibly proud.”
“I do really enjoy working with children with autism and helping children in need,” Tayler told CNN.
He said that he has plans to work with people with disabilities over the summer and also hopes to become a firefighter.
Clarks also commended the teen on Twitter. “Big shout out to Jacob for this wonderful feedback. We are all really proud of you!” the shoe store tweeted.
Big shout out to Jacob for this wonderful feedback. We are all really proud of you! You are the epitome of what we want all our staff to be. You absolute star!
Love from the Clarks Team!! https://t.co/a5UIzwBrC8— Clarks Shoes (@clarksshoes) May 29, 2019
“You are the epitome of what we want all our staff to be,” Clarks added. “You absolute star! Love from the Clarks Team!!”
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