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