http://www.stuartduncan.name/autism/going-out-for-dinner-with-autism/ by Stuart Duncan Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:40:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.stuartduncan.name/autism/going-out-for-dinner-with-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Stuart Duncan Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:37:07 +0000 http://www.stuartduncan.name/?p=428#comment-96 Well, as I said, it all depends on your child and your parenting style. For us, our child has come a long way and being put into those situations helps him for the next time he's in a similar situation. I realize that it's not for every child though. Bringing my child to a new restaurant is no more pretending he's normal than giving him a basketball is pretending that he's a pro basketball player. Never putting your child into situations like that is also not a good strategy, if your child is ready for more than just the routine they've become accustomed to. "not a good strategy" is a very subjective conclusion to a specific set of circumstances. Well, as I said, it all depends on your child and your parenting style. For us, our child has come a long way and being put into those situations helps him for the next time he’s in a similar situation. I realize that it’s not for every child though. Bringing my child to a new restaurant is no more pretending he’s normal than giving him a basketball is pretending that he’s a pro basketball player.
Never putting your child into situations like that is also not a good strategy, if your child is ready for more than just the routine they’ve become accustomed to. “not a good strategy” is a very subjective conclusion to a specific set of circumstances.

]]> http://www.stuartduncan.name/autism/going-out-for-dinner-with-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-97 Elizabeth Sun, 18 Jul 2010 15:17:56 +0000 http://www.stuartduncan.name/?p=428#comment-97 I so know where you are coming from with this. Our son has been diagnosed with a PDD - NOS, which we firmly believe is Autism. However, because of his other issues, PTSD, OCD, Bi-Polar, they can not give us a definite on that. Taking him anywhere - not just to dinner - but anywhere is an event in and of itself that leaves us drained and emotionally bereft by the time it's over. But we do it... and we do it again... because each time out is a milestone, another bridge crossed, and another obstacle overcome. Yes, we have meltdowns in public, Yes, our son is different, Yes, you look at me like I'm an awful parent... but NO I do not care! My son needs socialization, and the only way he will get that is if WE socialize him. Kudos to you Stuart - it's a journey, but well worth the road traveled. I so know where you are coming from with this. Our son has been diagnosed with a PDD – NOS, which we firmly believe is Autism. However, because of his other issues, PTSD, OCD, Bi-Polar, they can not give us a definite on that.
Taking him anywhere – not just to dinner – but anywhere is an event in and of itself that leaves us drained and emotionally bereft by the time it’s over. But we do it… and we do it again… because each time out is a milestone, another bridge crossed, and another obstacle overcome.
Yes, we have meltdowns in public, Yes, our son is different, Yes, you look at me like I’m an awful parent… but NO I do not care! My son needs socialization, and the only way he will get that is if WE socialize him.
Kudos to you Stuart – it’s a journey, but well worth the road traveled.

]]> http://www.stuartduncan.name/autism/going-out-for-dinner-with-autism/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Craig Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:26:01 +0000 http://www.stuartduncan.name/?p=428#comment-95 We would never take our autistic son out to a restaurant without knowing the menu, knowing the environment, and having a backup plan. Not for our sake, for his. ASD is hard, I am sure you know, but pretending your child is normal and throwing him into situations like this is not a good strategy. We would never take our autistic son out to a restaurant without knowing the menu, knowing the environment, and having a backup plan. Not for our sake, for his. ASD is hard, I am sure you know, but pretending your child is normal and throwing him into situations like this is not a good strategy.

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