wibu to take different food into a restaurant?

[FedupofbeingtoldIcantusemyname]

Dc's and I are going on holiday in the half term, yay!

Dc2 is severely autistic and is very limited in what they will eat. More often than not they will refuse to eat anything that isn't McDonalds when we go out to eat and even then only specific items.

I really want to take the dc's out somewhere for lunch/dinner while we are away but I'm really worried that there will be nothing dc2 will tolerate eating.

Wib completely u to take McDonalds in to another 'food place' (restaurant, cafe, etc) for dc2?

I would never normally do this as I know its extremely rude and obviously I would explain to the staff and apologise in advance but it would just be really nice for dc1 to be able to go somewhere that isn't all about dc2 and their food issues. Wibu to do this?

I don't think u will be allowed McDonald's as others have said - it's a very specific brand,ive worked many places which serve food - we have always allowed children, or any adult with disabilities, to have their own food, but this has always been a discreet pack up - not something clearly from somewhere round the corner (potentially a competitor). Could it be worth ringing ahead to see if some of his safe foods can be made - even if they are not on the menu? Lots of places will happily make different things. I hope u find some good solutions.

Purple putting random fries and nuggets into a McDonald's bag won't work.
Op any decent restaurant would let you do this but I would remove the packaging if possible.

I think yabu. Ds is autistic and while his food issues don't sound as bad as your ds's I wouldn't want to take a preferred food to a restaurant. Firstly because there is no incentive to try new food. Ds rarely will but it has happened on occasion. Secondly if your ds is going to be pretty independent when he's older - which I know is probably impossible to tell at this age - I don't think you're doing him any favours to teach him that it's socially ok to take food from one restaurant into another.

Appriciate the suggestions of going 'off menu' and asking them to make him something he will eat but it won't work unfortunately - he will know it isn't the same. I don't think he cares at all about the bag/packaging it comes in but he will recognise it isn't the same food. I have tried many many times ordering him 'chicken nuggets and chips' only to have them go uneaten.

I can defiantly try ordering him just chips but again there is no guarantee he will eat them. It sounds ridiculous but sometimes he will be happy with 'other chips' and other days only McDonalds will do and he will have a meltdown if he doesn't get them!

I will try and find somewhere that will allow us to bring it in, as awkward as I feel about doing it I think if I fed dc2 first and then he was sitting at the table with me and dc1 with him having no food he would grab at anything and everything, including our food even if he doesn't want to eat it. I do try to distract him with the ipad but sometimes he just isn't interested and will just try and throw it

Its so hard trying to predict his behaviour and plan for it because its constantly bloody changing and what works one day won't work on another.

Sometimes Autism really bloody annoys me!

Haligh, you're right it is difficult to tell at this age but I think we are all fairly confident that he will not be independent at all when he grows up. Sadly he is still in nappies and has a wheelchair at age 8, not for lack of trying to get him to potty train/walk/etc.

I'd ring and ask.

Definitely phone ahead, as pp said all they can do its say no. I wouldn't just rock up with a MacD's out of the blue though.

Really the smell is far worse than the packaging (I do occasionally go to McDonald's so not against the brand). Accommodatimg everyone is important. So this child has difficulty with foods served in a restaurant so McDonald's is the solution for him! But at the next table there is a family who picked the restaurant as it suited their child's sensory needs, but this was challenged by the scent of fast food. I really think, if possible, find another food to take in with you.

I honestly can't imagine anyone saying no. Particularly (God help me) because dc uses a wheelchair, so it's not an "invisible disability"

And all this "oh, my word, the smell!" stuff. Garlic bread? Oh, but garlic bread is "posh" smelly food!

I was writing when you posted more info, and perhaps retract my thoughts on this matter. If there really is nothing else for him to eat, then I can see why you want to try have a "normal" family meal and ask for some compassion.

I don't think people are knicking the smell, just that it's distinctive.
I'm not snobby ( in fact i'm now thinking of a double cheeseburger) but some places may not want to give that impression.
Some may not even be allowed to let customers bring in competitors foods.

It's unfortunate that it's McDonald's! If, for example, he would only eat hula hoops when out and about, then no would even notice.

I have no problem with the smell of McDonald's apart from the fact once I smell one I want one . I think people are just saying it's so distinctive restaurants may say no as other diners particularly with children may have issues.

I think, as a fully grown adult, that I am quite capable of coping with a bit of a smell of McDonalds at the table next to me so that a child with special needs can eat.

I'm not sure I'd walk in to another restaurant with a bag from McDonald's though. Could you put it in a lunch box, and ask the restaurant to put it on a plate and bring it out with your meals and pay a plating fee, if he is able to eat it that way? Definitely call and check with them earlier in the day. If they say no, well you know not to even bother going to their establishment.

Phone ahead and ask. I used to own a restaurant and wouldn't have had an issue with this. But many places would. Don't put them on the spot when you arrive. Because if they aren't happy it could end up with you being put in a difficult position.

We used to buy food for ds in a restaurant or cafe and take a substantial amount of our own snack food as well. No one ever minded because we had paid for food for him.

I would also ring and ask. My DC1 has also severe ASD (no food issues though) and I totally see where you are coming from re your other child. I would ask. I find if I explain things if we need extra allowances, people are usually quite understanding.

have a good holiday

Really doesn't matter how many people say it's unreasonable the only one who can make that decision is the restaurant so definitely ring and ask.

Two dc with autism here. I usually take them to eat first at the place of their choice - usually McDonalds too and then go where I want after. With their iPads they are fine and may eat pudding at my restaurant as long as it's plain vanilla ice cream!

I was going to suggest that Nickifury

Can you not feed him first in MacDonald's and then get had m some ice cream in the restaurant

Or have a takeout in a nice park, so everyone can have what they want

But if there's a way of everyone eating together surely that's preferable?

OP has already explained why eating before is not an option.

I think I would go with ordering just a plate of chips for your son. If he doesn't eat them, you've only lost a couple of quid and you get him something else after (and/or before if hunger will be a problem). At least then you're all ordering and having food brought to the table together, which will probably feel good for you and your other child.

Which is why I suggested a pudding.

Any chance of places with outside eating areas seeing as it's on holiday? No bothersome smells then.