Interesting.

 

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39075518

 

I have to say, that even as a parent myself, I'd support this. I've seen many parents that feel that since they're paying for their food, then they've got the right to let the kids do what they want.

This is interesting especially what the mother of the autistic child says. Will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

Sounds like the mother of the autistic child is trying to turn this into something it's not.

I say good for the restaurant owner, sounds like a place I'd support.

I have four kids and after ther third one when we went into a restaurant I'd ask the hostess to put us away from folks if they could. I also have walked out one of my kids on several occasions for a talk.

Bravo. If you can't control your child or keep them from screaming then stay at home and eat.

I have four kids and after ther third one when we went into a restaurant I'd ask the hostess to put us away from folks if they could. I also have walked out one of my kids on several occasions for a talk.

 

I, too, have done this on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, I've also seen (and heard!) more instances where this hasn't happened. Don't know if the kid normally gets away with screaming at home, or if the parent has just been worn down from a long day and doesn't care at that particular moment.

As to the mother of the autistic child...I agree with RTS, that she's trying to make something out of nothing.

I am one of four boys. We are all w/in 5 years of each other. My parents took us out to eat at a restaurant exactly 2xs b/n the years of 1987-1992. Even now it is an adventure. They did it b/c we were constantly fighting and it was an embarrassment to take us out.

First of all, Autism and other developmental disabilities do not necessarily cause a child to be a screamer. These conditions might make the child more likely to act out, but a parent who has dealt with the issue over a child's lifetime is usually well armed with calming strategies and coping mechanisms.

 

Secondly, no parent of a disabled child (and I know LOTS of them) would think it's okay for their child to cause an undue hardship on other people. Moving to the front of the line, or delaying a bus are one thing, but this is on a whole other level. Your kid screams -- you get them out of there.

I, too, have done this on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, I've also seen (and heard!) more instances where this hasn't happened. Don't know if the kid normally gets away with screaming at home, or if the parent has just been worn down from a long day and doesn't care at that particular moment.

As to the mother of the autistic child...I agree with RTS, that she's trying to make something out of nothing.

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First of all, Autism and other developmental disabilities do not necessarily cause a child to be a screamer. These conditions might make the child more likely to act out, but a parent who has dealt with the issue over a child's lifetime is usually well armed with calming strategies and coping mechanisms.

 

Secondly, no parent of a disabled child (and I know LOTS of them) would think it's okay for their child to cause an undue hardship on other people. Moving to the front of the line, or delaying a bus are one thing, but this is on a whole other level. Your kid screams -- you get them out of there.

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I was always under the impression that it was simply common courtesy to take your screaming child to the back/outside untill the problem has been solved. Now, the sign doesn't say "autistic kids will not be tolerated" or anything like that. Children, it seems, would still be welcome at the resturant. I think the sign is only directed at the parents, not the children. What the sign should say is: parents don't just sit their like a goon if your child is screaming bloody Mary.

I was wholeheartedly on the side of the restaurant owner on this -- until -- I heard her speak. Now I'm wavering, and finding it very hard to support her cause...or to believe she doesn't want to specifically discriminate against the disabled.

 

In reference to the mother of the autustuc child she said the following:

 

"I don't understand why she's offended with the sign anyway, just because Mother Nature handed her an autistic child...or God. It's something she has to deal with, and I think she's just upset because that's what she was handed in life. I feel sorry for her, but it's her problem; sorry."

 

The mother said the owner also remarked to her directly:

 

"I can't even believe you take him in public. You must be the only one who does!"

 

While I still think a parent should control or remove a disruptive child, I'm beginning to think this restaurant owner is something of an uncultured moron who holds to antiquated ideas and stereotypes about the disabled. She seems to think they are monsters and anyone who has been saddled with one should hide in their cave and accept their punishment from nature...or God.

 

Everyone has a "right" to be in her establishment, but with that right comes a responsibility. If it's just a matter of a bratty kid, the parent should be expected to deal with the issue immediately. When it's a special case, however, I think the business management, staff and patrons, should (and usually do) show a little compassion and give a little more leeway.

Alright, I could not read all of the text for some reason, so, I am going to voice my thoughts not informed. I just want to tell you all some of my experiences with special need children as well as adults. Well, I started to do just that, however, it would be like writing a book....lets just say, there are times when a person may not realize that screaming and loud noises are going to happen when they do. There is no planning around moods with developmentally delayed individuals. I have found myself in situations where I could not just get up and leave with the child or adult that I was with. It would just cause more of a problem. I hated when these situations happend in public places, however, I was not going to keep these individuals locked up in their homes because of some people not liking the loud noises......

 

I will tell you all of one situation that will never leave my mind....an individual that I have known for many years had a bad outburst in church. I could have died for what she yelled out. I can not repeat what she said on here because I would never be allowed back LOL....I tried to get her to leave with me, however, the more I talked with her, the more upset she became.....The gentleman that was leading the serman knew what was going on, shoot, the devil himself knew LOL....anyway, he excused himself, came over to where we were sitting, and told me that she needed to be out in public and needed God more than anyone else in this place....He told me not to worry about it. That really touched me in the most positive way due to the fact I , a lot, had people wanting me to keep "them" at home.

 

I don't know if this changed any of your minds, that is not what I was trying to do....just letting you know another perspective on the situation....

I have a child with a form of autism and I fully support the policy. We've had to remove ourselves from a restaurant many times so our child could calm down. On the other hand, we've sat and had a child screaming while we're trying to eat. My wife has a hearing condition where some loud noises actually cause her to become physically sick so I'm not real sympathetic to parents who don't take care of the situation.

Next thing you know we'll have IEP's for restaurants.

I have a child with a form of autism and I fully support the policy. We've had to remove ourselves from a restaurant many times so our child could calm down. On the other hand, we've sat and had a child screaming while we're trying to eat. My wife has a hearing condition where some loud noises actually cause her to become physically sick so I'm not real sympathetic to parents who don't take care of the situation.

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