Questions on dining with special needs children?

Question

I have two boys with autism. My husband and I would like to dine out at a restaurant that doesn't serve a burger/fries/drink with a prize in the bag place. Do we need to call in advance to ask if the restaurant can accomodate our family? They are well behaved but sometimes excessive noises can get them into sensory overload. We have taken them at off peak times, but most people like to dine during regular dinner hours.

How would you approach this with a dining establishment?

Answer 1

Call in advance and talk to the manager. We have done it before. My little brother will only eat spaghetti with butter, mac and cheese, bread and french fries.

Just let the restaurant know. I am sure they can come up with something they will eat.

You can also tell them that they will get the prize once they get home if they sit as quietly as they can. That sometimes works for my brother who likes the prize in the bag (we have them leave out the meat and he eats the fries and drinks the Sprite) if we go to a place that does not have a prize.

Take things for them to tinker with to while away the time before the food arrives.

Do they have supports like weighted vests or compression shirts that might help keep them calm?

If we go to a noisy place we either put paper in my brothers ears to keep the noise muffled or he takes his MP3 player and the headphones keep the noise out.

When my mom calls the places she just says we are coming and my brother is autistic and has a limited food list and could they help him. They almost always have and are happy to get the business. Most tell her stories about people they know with autistic kids and things of that nature.

Answer 2

id call ahead, and explain they're well behaved