That is sensory overload,definitely no fun.
Malls are full of it,they are violent torture to Auties and Aspies.
Get a pair of laserlite earplugs [best on the market and easy to get,and are soft and not scratchy] and a pair of ear defenders worn over the top,that will help a little for the noise side of it,but it will only help with quick in and out visits.
Am could not cope without either of those for even walking in the door of a mall,and will end up on the floor being restrained in headbanging and speed rocking mode,and would say not using them is probably the best thing,they are very Autist unfriendly.
If have access to use of a car,go to shops that are outside residential places,like retail parks,there are less people,do not have to walk through an already crowded sensory attacking place just to get into the shop.
Go at the least busiest times,even if it means the earliest or the latest.
If know exact size of feet,buy off internet,from shoe shops that speciliaze in width of shoes as well as length [mum has to buy two pairs of the same shoes because of her different sized feet].
_________________
>severely autistic.
>>the residential autist;
http://theresidentialautist.blogspot.co.uk
blogging from the view of an ex institutionalised autism/ID activist now in community care.
>>>help to keep bullying off our community,report it!