Today we did our part to spread Autism Awareness.
I think it’s a coincidence I put on an Autism shirt this morning. As we left my son’s baseball game my parents invited us to Breakfast.
In our world of profound Autism, eating out is not something we do often.
It’s hard.
It’s stressful.
It’s necessary.
Scrambler’s didn’t know what was about to hit them, but we came in like a hurricane, full of excitement, flapping and squeals.
As we checked in with the hostess, Brantley checked out of his shoes. After putting his shoes back on him multiple times, I knew I needed to pick my battles and him wearing shoes in that moment was not one I was going to fight.
I followed behind the hostess, walking my shoeless 9 year old to our table with a firm grip on both of his hands. A grip intended to get him to our table safely as much as it was to prevent him from grabbing food from the tables we passed.
People stared.
I smiled.
Despite my best efforts to keep all drinks on the table out of his reach, Pepsi, Water and Lemonade were all knocked over as Brantley engaged his go-go-gadget arms sending liquid cascading across the table and onto the floor. Thankfully, their carpet was spared damage because half of Brantley’s pancakes and some of my hash-browns were on them to soak up the liquids.
The stares from nearby diners in these situations are inevitable. They are always a mix of curiosity, irritation and sometimes pity. Looks that leave me walking an emotional tight rope over Brantley’s right to be in public and aware of the disturbance he may be causing others.
But ultimately, outings like today are essential. It's not only about our family enjoying a meal together but also about teaching Brantley how to navigate social situations. Equally important, it's about educating the world on how to interact with Brantley — promoting Autism Awareness.
So, the next time you see a family like mine dining out, please remember that behind the chaos, there is a tale of love, lessons, advocacy, and a call for inclusivity—something we could all get better at. #autismfamily #autismparents #autismlife #specialneedsparenting
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