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Ways to cope with visiting a restaurant/café, improving the experience for children.

Holly

Hiya, I am Holly and I am studying interior architecture and design. For my most recent project, I am focusing on designing a restaurant that is more inclusive to autistic children and their families. Read the full description below:

The number of children being diagnosed with autism has hugely increased in the last two decades, whilst many areas of design have adapted to the needs of neurodevelopment disorders, restaurant design in-particular remains non-inclusive. This, therefore, means autistic children and their families miss out on important family time as they often find dining out challenging due to restaurants being too overwhelming for children who are over or under sensitive to senses. But dining out is an important part of a child's development and it should be encouraged not avoided. By re-designing a restaurant space that are more autistic friendly, it will help pose a change to future design, ensuring a more inclusive future.

If you have any stories, experiences whether they are good or bad about visiting a restaurant then please comment away! Whether you are a parent and struggle taking your child out or as an adult, and avoid visiting restaurants altogether. Or do you have any tips on how you cope in this environment, are there any ways to improve the overall experience for children?

I would love to hear any feedback you have, anything will be useful to help me design an autistic-friendly restaurant and activity hub.

Parents

  • A ‘plain’ menu would be very helpful as texture is a big issue for my little brother. So options like plain pasta, plain burger or the option to have just the bread, common beige food such as potatoes waffles. Same with desserts. The strange looks we get when we ask for ice cream with no sauce or burger bread but no burger. Plates with dividers for those who don’t like different foods to touch. You can get easy grip cutlery, autism chairs etc. I think having the freedom to move around would be useful so maybe an area specifically for families with autistic children with lots of sensory toys. Game consoles or iPads. The most restrictive part of restaurants is the toilets. A family toilet with hoist that is unisex so a father can accompany  a younger daughter with no hand driers just paper towels. As the noise freaks most children out let alone those with autism. And to have a zero tolerance policy for those who are judgemental toward those with additional needs.

Reply

  • A ‘plain’ menu would be very helpful as texture is a big issue for my little brother. So options like plain pasta, plain burger or the option to have just the bread, common beige food such as potatoes waffles. Same with desserts. The strange looks we get when we ask for ice cream with no sauce or burger bread but no burger. Plates with dividers for those who don’t like different foods to touch. You can get easy grip cutlery, autism chairs etc. I think having the freedom to move around would be useful so maybe an area specifically for families with autistic children with lots of sensory toys. Game consoles or iPads. The most restrictive part of restaurants is the toilets. A family toilet with hoist that is unisex so a father can accompany  a younger daughter with no hand driers just paper towels. As the noise freaks most children out let alone those with autism. And to have a zero tolerance policy for those who are judgemental toward those with additional needs.

Children