Dining Out with Autistic Children

Dining out with autistic children can be quite a challenge, but there are a few things you can do to help make the experience less stressful for the entire family. Overstimulation and unfamiliarity are two of the biggest problem areas for autistic kids. Visiting the same restaurant and ordering the same food for your child can make them more comfortable with the situation. Here are a few tips for dining out with an autistic child.

Dining out with autistic children: Unfamiliar surroundings

The biggest problem parents face when dining out with autistic children is the unfamiliarity of the restaurant. Most autistic children remember very specific details, such as a favorite waitress or how the wait staff is dressed. If this is an issue for your child, try to visit the restaurant at a consistent time of the day. That way you will be more likely to catch the same employees on their regular shift. If you are eating at a different location of a chain restaurant, scope out the interior decorations to make sure they look similar to the location your autistic child is familiar with.

Dining out with autistic children: Too many people

Crowded restaurants may be difficult for autistic children because there is too much stimulation. Other diners may be pushed too close to the child and make him or her uncomfortable. The restaurant employees may also be a bit too enthusiastic and end up disturbing the child. If there are too many colorful decorations, lights, or loud noises, it may be too hard for your child to focus on eating his or her meal.

Dining out with autistic children: Loud or distracting noise

Noise can also be a major problem when dining out with autistic kids. Again, crowded restaurants will probably be the worst for the child because of the noise of everyone's voices. One way to minimize the impact of random noise on your autistic child is to bring an MP3 or DVD player and allow them to listen to their favorite music or watch a familiar movie. This can often take up enough of their attention that they will not notice the commotion of the restaurant.

Dining out with autistic children: Familiar foods

Just as they prefer familiar surroundings, many autistic children will only eat foods they recognize. Restaurants often serve a much wider variety than the child is used to. Try to find a few dishes that your autistic child enjoys and order them whenever you dine out at that particular restaurant. For many autistic children, only certain food textures or colors will appeal to them, so be sure the restaurant you choose has dishes that meet these specifications.