Going Out Gets Easier

From the Baltimore Sun comes a story on more accommodation for people with autism in public outings. Story opens with a kid who loves movies but rarely gets to go because he makes noises when he gets overwhelmed, according to his tutor. Now he goes to the movies at a Baltimore-area AMC Loews theater that hosts the monthly viewings for autistic children and their families. The lights are turned up a bit; the sound is turned down. No one minds if there’s an occasional shout or scream or comment.

Photo courtesy of callme_crochet (flickr.com)

The Baltimore area also has restaurants and churches showing an awareness and sensitivity to the autistic population with special services and specially trained staff. In New York City I’m not aware of any particular initiatives that would accommodate my son or my family, but we do frequent restaurants that seem sensitive, like Manna’s Soul Food Restaurant and Salad Bar, a mini-chain with locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. As we’ve tried to keep Alex from darting into the kitchen or served him saltines that we brought him from outside, staffers at Manna’s have always been cheerful and friendly. The roast turkey and stuffing can’t be beat.

Another place that’s downright welcoming to Alex is one branch of the Famous Famiglia Pizza chain. Jeff has been taking both boys there for about four years and lately hits the place with just Alex to get him out of the house so Ned can have some quiet for his tutoring late on Wednesday afternoons. Alex can eat — with a fork! — the cheese from two slices now. But more to the point, the guys behind the counter always say hi to Jeff and the kids, and always ask how they’re doing. Last Wednesday, the place was crowded, as usual, and the only seat was a small table hidden in the back. Jeff left Alex there to go order up front, realizing full well that Alex might well bolt for the bathroom or even behind the counter toward the ovens. “Take a seat,” they said, “we’ll bring it over!” And they did. Odds of course are now that somebody behind that counter knows some kid on the spectrum — and understands. Who cares if they were secretly thinking how they wouldn’t want Alex careening around their crowded eatery. It translated into a nice moment, and a place we’ll return to over and over despite there being a pizza joint on almost every corner of Manhattan.