The Christmas season is finally here, and we all know what that means--let the shopping begin! Companies are starting to get ready for the crowds that are about to mob their stores, while families start to compile their shopping lists.

Everyone knows the drill each year, as stores don't often change their policies during the holiday season as compared to the normal year. However, Toys R Us is actually the exception, as they are making one change that is turning a lot of heads this holiday season.

Flickr/Mike Kalasnik

Toys R Us is a popular store that parents like to shop at with and for their children. Kids love visiting the store, as they get to play in the aisles, while mom and dad go shopping for them. With the hustle and bustle of families crowding the popular retail chain, Toys R Us decided to make a new policy. A lot of people are extremely shocked by what the policy is, as it has to do with families of children with autism.

Their brilliant idea started with the stores located in the U.K. only, and now the word is spreading, not just to other Toys R Us locations across the country, but even other retail chains are starting to jump on the band wagon as well. They are implementing what is called a 'quiet hour.' What this means, is the stores are opening an hour earlier specifically for families with autistic children only.

Along with the perk for families, the store will even dim the lights, and they will reduce the fluorescent lighting. Families with autistic children face the everyday challenge of taking them to the store, and at times it can be quite difficult for not only the child to deal with, but the family as well. Having the store just opened for autistic families, can make life a lot easier for them.

Flickr/Dwayne Madden

There's no doubt that holiday shopping can be a stressful event. However, if you're a person with autism, it takes the "stress" to a whole new level. Bright lighting can be strenuous for an autistic child, loud noises, a big crowd--all of these can be triggers for an autistic child, who can have a hard time handling them. But when you remove all of the distractions, it can make for a very pleasant experience for the autistic child and their family, just like everyone's shopping experience should be like.

Spokeswoman Candace Disler told CBS:

"We're working on a plan to test these types of opportunities on a local level -- pairing our stores with local organizations to create an event for kids with special needs and their families. We'll also assess opportunities to scale it nationally." 

According to Autism Speaks, autism affects 1 out of 68 American children. They have special needs that may not be met when the family goes out shopping in stores. However, with what Toys R Us is doing, in regards to reducing the sensory overload autistic children may feel, Toys R Us is granting autistic children the same fun shopping experience that other kids get to have.

Flickr/woodleywonderworks

Quiet hour has been implemented at Toys R Us stores in the U.K. ever since 2014. They also turn off the holiday music that is usually blaring throughout the store's sound system, which can be too much for an autistic child to handle. They even went another step and made a quiet area, should the autistic child need to calm down from getting too worked up.

As autism spectrum disorders amongst children are on the rise, more and more retail chains are starting to see the benefits from what Toys R Us is doing. Parents to autistic children are pleased with the policy, and appreciate how Toys R Us has thought about their children. One parent who has an 11-year-old autistic son, Angela Blanchet, shared with CBS:

"I think it's great what Toys R Us is doing. The kids are getting to be more and more in numbers."

Flickr/National Human Genome Research Institute

Just like Toys R Us, other companies are jumping on board to offer similar programs to their customers who have autistic children as well. Airline giant JetBlue offers a program where autistic children can become familiar with flying before they even step foot on a plane. AMC Theatres have movies that are sensory friendly, so autistic children do not feel any sensory overload. Simon Property Group, a mall operator, has special Santa's that visit their malls who are specially trained in dealing with autistic children.

As many stores are starting to create programs similar to the one like Toys R Us did for families who have children with special needs, more and more companies are starting to see the benefits. After all, autistic kids deserve the same experience as non-autistic kids, and what better way to show support than by having companies implement these types of programs.

Watch this video to learn more about autism.

Bravo to Toys R Us, and to all of the companies out there that try and make a difference for our kids! We hope that this program becomes more wide-spread, so that holiday shopping can be less stressful for those living with autism.

Sources: TED, CBS, Autism Speaks  FB Image Credit: Flickr/Mike Mozart