Hidden disabilities

I was very happy to open up the mail today and receive our sunflower lanyard. This was given to us by a friend from a local Facebook group that we attend. She had a spare one.

For people that don't know about the sunflower lanyard, it is for hidden disabilities.


The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower lanyard scheme is an initiative designed to act as a discreet sign that somebody has a hidden disability and requires additional assistance while out in public. Supermarkets Tesco and Sainsbury’s have started using the lanyards.

In addition, they are beginning to be recognised at international airports, cinemas, shopping centres and several NHS Trusts.

Which hidden disabilities eligible for a sunflower lanyard?

The types of hidden disabilities that are eligible for a sunflower lanyard include:

autism and Asperger’s

learning disabilities 

dementia

mobility issues (e.g arthritis, MS, ME, chronic illness)

visual or hearing impairments.

How does the sunflower lanyard work for people with hidden disabilities?

If you’re wearing a lanyard, staff can offer you help but won’t know what your individual disability and needs are. Just let them know what they can do.

The support that can be provided with a lanyard includes:

more time at the checkout

packing your bags

speaking face-to-face to allow lip reading

using clear and easy-to-understand language

help with hard-to-reach products

making others aware a person may be struggling or have behavioural issues.



So many times my son has been in sensory overload in places like Tesco and I've had to sit on the floor with him and try and calm him down. And on quite a few occasions I've had people butt in and be like " that's not how you behave" " you shouldn't be sitting down or lying on the floor" and then you have the people that give a tutt or a disapproving look as they walk past.
In the beginning I use to get upset at this and feel judged so much. Now I don't care.
Scheme's like the sunflower lanyard are going to bring awareness to the public about all different kinds of hidden disabilities and this can only be positive.

So if you see anyone wearing these , now you know what they are for. And for me as a parent, it's raising more awareness about autism.