“If we can make a few small changes to give these customers a better shopping experience and make them comfortable then I know the store will be a better place to shop for everyone.”
The initiative has been welcomed by the National Autistic Society who said sufferers avoid busy shops because of “extreme anxiety”.
Campaign manager Tom Madders said: "It can cause [autistic people] to feel overwhelmed by 'too much information'.
“This can be excruciatingly painful or cause extreme anxiety. This may lead to a meltdown or - all too often - people avoid these places and choose not to go out at all.
"Asda's initiative is a great example of an organisation taking the trouble to understand how autistic people experience the world and we hope other retailers are inspired to follow their example."
Families can meet store staff for the first quiet hour on Saturday, May 7 at 8am.
