AUTISM: “Doesn’t matter” is not good enough

Last Friday, my family attempted to have dinner at Caddyshack in Coeur d’Alene with our 3-year-old autistic grandson.

Because of his autism, he has significant situational feeding issues and eats only very specific foods at dinnertime. We brought a small MOD Pizza for him while all four adults planned to purchase meals from the restaurant.

We were told outside food was prohibited. My daughter explained, “He’s autistic.”

The response was, “That doesn’t matter.”

We left with a crying child and a family feeling humiliated.

I later returned to calmly explain why his food was necessary, but no exception would be made.

This is bigger than one restaurant or one pizza. It’s about education and inclusion.

Autism doesn’t always look like a disability. Feeding challenges, sensory sensitivities, communication difficulties and rigid routines can make something as ordinary as a family dinner incredibly difficult.

Businesses need education about autism and reasonable disability accommodations. Ask questions. Listen. Consider whether a policy can reasonably be modified before dismissing a family’s needs.

Families like ours aren’t asking for special treatment. We’re asking for understanding and the opportunity to participate in everyday life.

Sometimes inclusion isn’t a wheelchair ramp. Sometimes it’s allowing a 3-year-old autistic child to eat his safe food so his family can have dinner together.

PATTY ANSELMO

Coeur d’Alene