| We all love going out to eat...But when your child | | | | menu at home? It may be an idea to actually |
| is autistic this family treat can become a family | | | | bring along some food from home-just incase.o |
| nightmare. | | | | Try and make sure all your children have used |
| There are various ways to prepare your autistic | | | | the bathroom before you leave, public bathrooms |
| child for eating out.o You could start by a simple | | | | can be a whole new experience and may cause |
| role play of the eating out experience...o Maybe | | | | anxiety triggers in your autistic child.o To be on |
| you could show your autistic child a sample | | | | the safe side bring along a social skills story for |
| menu...Introduce this at your own family meal | | | | using the bathroom while you are out "autism |
| time..."Isn't this fun...can you choose your dinner | | | | social stories and going to the bathroom". You |
| from the menu (add name)o Autism Social | | | | may want to have already introduced this story |
| Stories are an excellent tool at this time...Introduce | | | | to your child before the meal out - to be on the |
| your autistic child to the idea of eating out. By | | | | safe side.o Try and choose a restaurant where |
| using theses simple but effective social skills | | | | the service is normally very fast, or try and have |
| stories, the social skill stories will explain, what | | | | a quiet word with your waiter and explain your |
| happens in a restaurant...what is expected of | | | | child is autistic and could he please hurry your |
| them and also what they can expect from | | | | orders and service along.o Remember to always |
| others.o Have a rehearsal in a small fast food | | | | keep one eye on your autistic child...he wont think |
| restaurant or salad bar firsto Try to visit the | | | | twice about helping himself to the kid on the next |
| restaurant to familiarize your autistic child with the | | | | tables burger or fries...Or shouting out. Be aware |
| establishment first. | | | | of the people on the tables near to yours.o If at |
| A few things you may want to keep in mind | | | | all possible ask to be seated in a quiet part of the |
| before the actual eating out experience are:o | | | | restaurant away from others. |
| Have you prepared your child enough before | | | | Remember restaurants are full of stimulation, |
| actually setting the dateo Have you introduced an | | | | smells, noises, sights, lights. You will need to be |
| appropriate autism social story- explaining what is | | | | very aware of these. But as long as you have |
| going to happen, and when it is going to happen.o | | | | prepared your child by using an appropriate autism |
| Make sure you have taken the time to check the | | | | social story, your child should already be aware of |
| restaurant is the same as when you bought your | | | | these and you will be able to take appropriate |
| child along for a visit ...No re-decorating has | | | | actions to avoid certain situations. |
| happened etc..o Have you practiced with your | | | | |