It only feels like yesterday that we attempted Ethan’s first meal out without a high chair. It was a massive step for us to take but a life skill we thought was very important. We don’t get to eat out that often but we didn’t want it to be on the list of things we can’t do.
Ethan has now mastered sitting nicely when out and about. I’m sure school has helped massively in this too but as long as he has something to keep him busy he is normally fine sitting at the table for a while. We still do control the environment as much as possible, asking for a booth or a quiet area, therefore keeping Ethan’s anxiety as low as we possibly can.
The issue we now have to work on is getting Ethan to eat when we go out. Burgers and sometimes pasta are always a sure hit, he doesn’t finish a meal but he does pick at it, eating something. As you can imagine this does limit our eating out options.
For Darren’s birthday last week we knew we wanted to go out for a meal. Knowing that pizza is an option for Ethan at school dinners we thought we would go and see if he would try something different. This is where Ethan amazed us.
The menu had some photos of the food options, a big help for our very visual boy, he picked out the chicken and chips option. Yes he really just wanted, and only ate the chips, but it was a different food choice for him.
Not only did he pick a different main meal but Ethan went to the salad bar with Darren. Ethan helped himself to some of the bread sticks and ate them. He also ate a bowl of pasta that Darren picked out for him. When our Pizza arrived Ethan also tried some very small pieces of it.
So not only did our trip to Pizza Hut mean that Ethan tried and ate lots of different food, we have also discovered that he likes bread sticks. A new food, something that I can add to our food shop for a snack. A very successful meal out.
That’s brilliant, here’s to many more successful meals out. Well done Ethan x
Thank you, it does feel like it is getting easier even if sometimes not much food is eaten x
Oh wow! That really was a successful meal out! Well done Ethan for trying new things. x
Thank you, I can’t wait to go out to Pizza Hut again ;0) x
I really think school makes a big difference with food and Pizza Hut is great as the kids get instant food, saving meltdowns and boredom. Well done Ethan. We’ve been out with friends tonight and there was no meltdown because pizza wasn’t an option and Monkey ate everything on his plate – a first!
That’s great news. Ethan won’t eat a pizza at home but he did there. We have funny ways but as long as we can find away to work round things I am happy x
It sounds like you had a lovely meal and Ethan sounds like he is doing so well with his eating! It must be a relief! x
We did, it is swings and round a-bouts but I’m just happy we can go out and it isn’t stressful for us all x
Well done all of you. I know just how stressful eating out can be. There are so many sensory issues and, like you, we make sure we get a booth and one of us sits beside each child to make sure they stay there.
Brilliant that Ethan tried some new foods too.
Thanks for linking up with #SSAmazingAchievements
A booth does really help, it stops the running around and perhaps helps to make Ethan feel safe x