Walmart Employee Coach Justin Helps Mom and Autistic Child During Meltdown
January 31, 2025

Life as a special needs parent can be filled with challenges, and you may need extra help to meet those challenges. Sarah, an autism mom, was in need when a few individuals stepped in to help, including a Walmart employee, Coach Justin. And in return, she nominated him for “Feel Good Friday” with East Idaho News.
Sarah wrote to “Feel Good Friday” about her experience and what Coach Justin did for her. She begins her letter by sharing that her nine-year-old son, Declan, was born prematurely and has some developmental delays as well as autism. “He is non-verbal, and at times, his inability to communicate his needs can lead to frustration and aggression,” she shares.
Sarah Was Shopping At Walmart With Her Son
RELATED: Devoted Sister Chooses to Become Lifelong Caregiver for Brother with Rare Disorder
She was shopping at Walmart with Declan when he became severely agitated and combative. “He was pulling my hair, biting me, and pushing me around—he’s incredibly strong, and I was struggling to manage his behavior,” she wrote.
Sarah didn’t think leaving the store or driving in his current state would be safe so she attempted to grab him on the floor and called her husband to meet her at the store. She was used to people staring and pointing, but that night was different. “There I was, on the floor of Walmart, wrestling with my son, crying as people watched,” she said.
Two other special needs moms and Coach Justin, an employee at Walmart, came to help. “Justin went above and beyond. He was calm, supportive, and made sure that Declan’s head was protected from hitting the ground,” Sarah shared. He also blocked a few bites and may have gotten bitten himself.
Justin Also Had a Son on the Autism Spectrum
Justin also had a son on the autism spectrum, which helped Sarah feel understood by him. They safely got Declan to the car just as Sarah’s husband arrived at the store. “Justin gave me a sincere hug and reassured me, telling me that I was doing a great job and not to worry about what had happened in the store,” she said.
East Idaho News went to Walmart to award Justin for “Feel Good Friday.” It was clear that he was her hero. He helped with Declan and reassured her that she was a good mom and had an amazing kid.
Hearing those words must have done so much for her heart. As an autism parent himself, Justin walked away from the experience knowing that they were not alone and that there are other people out there going through similar situations. That they were all in this together.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Teenager With Down Syndrome Enjoys Playing Kickball After Parents Organize Neighborhood Game
"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." - Galatians 6:10
WATCH: Walmart Employee Helps Mom and Autistic Child During a Meltdown
LISTEN: Cat Missing For 7 Years Finally Came Back Home | 4 Year Old Twin Girls Are Heroes After Finding Retired Officers Wallet
h/t: East Idaho News
Featured Image Credit: YouTube/East Idaho News
Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Determination When You Feel Depleted - Your Daily Prayer - January 29
When you're running on empty but life won't slow down, this prayer will help you lean into grace that carries you when strength runs out.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Determination When You Feel Depleted - Your Daily Prayer - January 29
When you're running on empty but life won't slow down, this prayer will help you lean into grace that carries you when strength runs out.
Past Stories
- What Began as a DNA Test Became a Father-Son Reunion Years in the Making
- A Simple Flea Market Visit in Kentucky Leads to an Incredible Family Reunion With the Past
- She Found a Lost Wallet on the Subway, Not Knowing How Returning it Would Change Her Life
- Supercentenarian Celebrates Her 111th Birthday and a Life Well Lived With Family and Friends
- Finding Love Again at 78, This Loving Couple Met at Church and Married Four Months Later
- Siblings Are Heroes After Saving Their Bus Driver and Keeping the Other Kids Calm
- Brave Father Runs Back Into Burning Home to Rescue His Daughter From House Fire
- The Power of Your Mouth
- Born in the Middle of World War I, This 108-Year-Old is Still Going Strong
- Diagnosed With Bone Cancer, Young Soldier Reunites With the Dog He Loved Overseas
- Baby Boy Born in a Carl's Jr. Parking Lot After Parents Didn't Make it to the Hospital On Time
- Landlord Surprises His Tenants By Offering Free Rent in November and December
- Birthday Boy Saves Friend From Drowning at His Own Pool Party
- His Girlfriend Had Sweet Memories of Bass Pro Shops, So That's Where Her Boyfriend Proposed
- Proud Parents Get a Surprise Visit From Their Soldier Son After Over a Year Apart
- Into the Deep End
- 93-Year-Old Grandfather Travels 40 Hours to Surprise His Grandson on His Wedding Day
- Trapped in a Burning Car, She Honked for Help, and a Brave Officer Saved Her Life
- Texas City Offers Something Special and Heartwarming With Their 'Grandma Stand'
- At 100, Wisconsin Navy Veteran Founded a Church and Still Serves as a Crossing Guard
- New York Police Officer Reunites With Woman He Helped on a Cold Winter Day
- When They Feared Losing Their Newborn, They Prayed for a Miracle, Then He Pulled Through
- Family Battling Daughter’s Rare Illness Gets the Perfect Secret Santa Surprise
- When a Loyal Customer Didn’t Show Up, This Chef Followed His Heart and Saved Him
- When a Comment Hits Deeper Than Expected
- 67-Year-Old California Man Saves His Family From Fire After Jumping From 2nd Floor Window
- Hiker is Rescued at Utah's Arches National Park After Getting Stuck in Quicksand
- 2,397 Golden Retrievers Gather Together in Buenos Aires and It's Way Too Cute
- Dog is Found and Rescued After Running Away From California Airbnb
- Young Boy Was Only 5 Years Old When He Started a Christmas Card Campaign For Veterans
- California Family Launches Pizzeria to Help Their Daughter With Special Needs Thrive
- Gary Sinise on Giving Gold Star Families Hope Through ‘Snowball Express'
- Off-Duty Paramedic Jumps in and Saves 7-Year-Old Girl After Her House Catches On Fire
- Three Virginia First Graders Save Their Teacher After She Started Choking On Her Food
- 81 Years Later, Two WWII Veterans Meet And Discover They Survived the Same POW Camp
- Coma Survivors Turned Sweethearts Get Engaged at the Hospital Where it All Began
- After a Scary Emergency Surgery, This Dad Made it in Time to See His Son Being Born
- Baby Girl Born in a Missouri Buc-ee’s Parking Lot After Parents Can't Make it to the Hospital in Time
- A Dad Saves His 12-Year-Old Daughter After She is Covered By a Collapsed Sand Hole
- When a Graduation Photo Went to the Wrong House, Strangers Became Family
- After 20 Long Hours at Sea, One Family’s Safe Return Shows God Was Near All Along
- School Bus Driver’s Split-Second Decision Saves 4-Year-Old From Lake Owasso
- Minnesota 9-Year-Old Sets Up a Free Compliments Stand, Encouraging Her Community
- They Said He Might Not Survive, but God Had Other Plans, Teen Burn Victim Is Finally Going Home
- In Their Deepest Grief, a Family Looks to God for Hope After Losing Their Son
- Students Learn Sign Language to Sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Their Deaf Therapy Dog
- Teen Scouts Spend 2 Hours Carrying Injured Hiker to Safety After Finding Her on Mountain
- Born at Just 1.3 Pounds, This Tiny Miracle Baby Is Finally Heading Home From the NICU
- Couple Who Just Celebrated Their 83rd Anniversary Share the Key to Their Long Marriage
- Mom Thought Her Son Was Dead, But God Worked a Miracle, and His Life Was Saved
Top Artists
Top Music Videos

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever

Universal Music Group Women Who Worship - Thank You Jesus For The Blood

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - Is He Worthy?

Cody Carnes Cody Carnes - Firm Foundation (He Won't)

Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin’s Powerful Live Rendition of ‘The First Hymn’ Will Stir Your Soul
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.









