How Autism-Friendly is your Business?
When you have a child with special needs, you have to plan community outings. You have to factor in many things such as the environment, food served, noise level, wait time, and other things. We love to do as many things with our entire family as possible. We are going to give as many reviews on local places as possible, and give tips on how to make it a good experience for everyone in your family.
**If you are a business owner, or know a business owner that would like us to rate their business for autism friendliness, please have them contact Tiffany at autismparent2parent@gmail.com**
**If you are a business owner, or know a business owner that would like us to rate their business for autism friendliness, please have them contact Tiffany at autismparent2parent@gmail.com**
Evangel Temple Church
www.etcwf.com
3800 Barnett Rd. Wichita Falls, Tx 76310 940-691-5501
Going to church can be very hard if you have a child with autism. The crowd, the noise, the demand of having to sit still and be quiet can all be overwhelming for a child on the spectrum. We have gone to Evangel Temple Church for the last few years. For a while, they had a class for children with special needs that was great, but our lower-functioning child was getting aggressive and tantruming and couldn't tolerate the class any longer. We decided to let him go into the sanctuary for church (positioned RIGHT by the door in case we need to make a quick getaway!). When you walk into Evangel, it is very welcoming. Most people will not judge you or make you feel like you shouldn't be there. The lights in the sanctuary are very dim (awesome for kids w/ sensitivity to light!) When the praise and worship music started, our lower functioning child felt like he was in his element. No one was focusing on him jumping or flapping (we say that is the way he worships!). When the Pastor begins to preach, we do have to try to keep Christian from tapping the pew in front of him, but we can usually keep him still with skittles as reinforcers. If he starts to meltdown or make noise, we make a quick exit to the "family room" where they have a live video feed of church streaming into a small room with chairs. No one can hear him making noise besides us, and we can still finish listening to the message. They have a BEAUTIFUL fountain out front - which Christian decided to jump into Easter Morning! LOVELY! If you are looking for a church that is accepting, understanding and accommodating to families with special needs - Give Evangel Temple a try! :)
3800 Barnett Rd. Wichita Falls, Tx 76310 940-691-5501
Going to church can be very hard if you have a child with autism. The crowd, the noise, the demand of having to sit still and be quiet can all be overwhelming for a child on the spectrum. We have gone to Evangel Temple Church for the last few years. For a while, they had a class for children with special needs that was great, but our lower-functioning child was getting aggressive and tantruming and couldn't tolerate the class any longer. We decided to let him go into the sanctuary for church (positioned RIGHT by the door in case we need to make a quick getaway!). When you walk into Evangel, it is very welcoming. Most people will not judge you or make you feel like you shouldn't be there. The lights in the sanctuary are very dim (awesome for kids w/ sensitivity to light!) When the praise and worship music started, our lower functioning child felt like he was in his element. No one was focusing on him jumping or flapping (we say that is the way he worships!). When the Pastor begins to preach, we do have to try to keep Christian from tapping the pew in front of him, but we can usually keep him still with skittles as reinforcers. If he starts to meltdown or make noise, we make a quick exit to the "family room" where they have a live video feed of church streaming into a small room with chairs. No one can hear him making noise besides us, and we can still finish listening to the message. They have a BEAUTIFUL fountain out front - which Christian decided to jump into Easter Morning! LOVELY! If you are looking for a church that is accepting, understanding and accommodating to families with special needs - Give Evangel Temple a try! :)
Bahama Bucks
www.bahamabucks.com
3203 Kemp Blvd
Wichita Falls, TX 76308-1831
(940) 687-1141
Bahama Bucks is our new favorite family place to "chill". They offer shaved ice with a zillion different flavors, smoothies, fruit, and lots of yummy treats! I suggest you sit on their patio and enjoy the misters spraying as you eat your ice. The music they play is really relaxing - think Norah Jones or Jason Mraz. The older kids and moms and dads will enjoy the Bimini Game.
Wedding Cake Flavored Shaved Ice is DYE FREE, GLUTEN FREE, AND CASEIN FREE!!!
Bahama Colada w/ Bananas - (NO WHIP CREAM) is GFCF!
I think Bahama Bucks has an autism-friendly menu, is not overstimulating, and pretty chill. There is not much parking, and you will have to watch your children closely if they are "runners".
Wichita Falls, TX 76308-1831
(940) 687-1141
Bahama Bucks is our new favorite family place to "chill". They offer shaved ice with a zillion different flavors, smoothies, fruit, and lots of yummy treats! I suggest you sit on their patio and enjoy the misters spraying as you eat your ice. The music they play is really relaxing - think Norah Jones or Jason Mraz. The older kids and moms and dads will enjoy the Bimini Game.
Wedding Cake Flavored Shaved Ice is DYE FREE, GLUTEN FREE, AND CASEIN FREE!!!
Bahama Colada w/ Bananas - (NO WHIP CREAM) is GFCF!
I think Bahama Bucks has an autism-friendly menu, is not overstimulating, and pretty chill. There is not much parking, and you will have to watch your children closely if they are "runners".
Castaway Cove Waterpark
11000 Central Freeway East, Wichita Falls, TX 76301
I bought season passes for myself and one of the boys (because each pass comes with coupons). Even with coupons, I wish I hadn't bought the passes. EACH and EVERY time we have gone to Castaway Cove, there has been a problem. Some things, just inconveniences, and others are real safety issues.
First the positive: My boys LOVE the water, and waterparks are always big with us. They love the movement of the water, the excitement of the slides, and the sensory experience that water can give you.
Now the issues:
1. NOT GFCF Friendly AT ALL!!! If your child is on a special diet - this is NOT the place for them! You will have a very hard time finding anything that your child can eat. Castaway Cove checks your bag and will not allow any outside food into the park.
2. Lack of understanding about Autism: Alot of our kids are "runners"... running and pools don't mix. What happens when your child doesn't understand what the lifeguard is telling him to do? The lifeguard blows the whistle. (Sometimes REPEATEDLY) I have learned this the hard way.. whistles FREAK autistic children OUT!!!! After our last visit at Castaway Cove - I wanted to make a T-shirt for my kid that says, "My Autism doesn't understand your whistle... ask my parents how to talk to me."
3. The price is outrageous if your child is gonna meltdown when they see the cheese-fries the kid next to them is scarfing down. It is hard to dish out 20 bucks plus per person to have to make a quick exit.
4. Most of the staff working at Castaway Cove are teenagers. One of my boys was injured because the young lifeguard was watching cute guys in the wave pool instead of the kids playing rough and people standing on others shoulders.
So, overall, I wouldn't say this is the most autism-friendly place. If you are looking for a more autism-friendly waterpark or pool - try the Iowa Park Spray Park. (it is alot cheaper!) I still take our higher-functioning child to Castaway Cove, but he doesn't stay long, and I watch him like a hawk.
I bought season passes for myself and one of the boys (because each pass comes with coupons). Even with coupons, I wish I hadn't bought the passes. EACH and EVERY time we have gone to Castaway Cove, there has been a problem. Some things, just inconveniences, and others are real safety issues.
First the positive: My boys LOVE the water, and waterparks are always big with us. They love the movement of the water, the excitement of the slides, and the sensory experience that water can give you.
Now the issues:
1. NOT GFCF Friendly AT ALL!!! If your child is on a special diet - this is NOT the place for them! You will have a very hard time finding anything that your child can eat. Castaway Cove checks your bag and will not allow any outside food into the park.
2. Lack of understanding about Autism: Alot of our kids are "runners"... running and pools don't mix. What happens when your child doesn't understand what the lifeguard is telling him to do? The lifeguard blows the whistle. (Sometimes REPEATEDLY) I have learned this the hard way.. whistles FREAK autistic children OUT!!!! After our last visit at Castaway Cove - I wanted to make a T-shirt for my kid that says, "My Autism doesn't understand your whistle... ask my parents how to talk to me."
3. The price is outrageous if your child is gonna meltdown when they see the cheese-fries the kid next to them is scarfing down. It is hard to dish out 20 bucks plus per person to have to make a quick exit.
4. Most of the staff working at Castaway Cove are teenagers. One of my boys was injured because the young lifeguard was watching cute guys in the wave pool instead of the kids playing rough and people standing on others shoulders.
So, overall, I wouldn't say this is the most autism-friendly place. If you are looking for a more autism-friendly waterpark or pool - try the Iowa Park Spray Park. (it is alot cheaper!) I still take our higher-functioning child to Castaway Cove, but he doesn't stay long, and I watch him like a hawk.
Samurai of Tokyo
2518 Mallard Drive - Wichita Falls, TX - 76308 Phone: 940-696-2626
Samurai is a favorite of many in Wichita Falls. Our family is no different. The rice, the secret sauce, the show the chefs put on. We love it all! Samurai has great lunch specials, but can be pricey at night. We save dinners at Samurai for "special occasions". We love Samurai because of the simple menu! The food can be EASILY ordered gluten and casein free. Hibachi Chicken, Beef, or Shrimp with soup and fried rice made with NO BUTTER and NO SAUCE is a GFCF meal! :)
Sometimes, you will get a Chef that doesn't want to work with you, but be persistent and don't take their attitude to heart. If your chef is very considerate about preparing the food in the special way you requested - thank them and tip them!
The environment can be overstimulating for some children - and awesome for others. Our youngest does NOT like to wait and will get sort-of fussy, so we have been taking in a package of gluten free pretzles to break up into small pieces for him to snack on while he waits. Children that are overstimulated by the clanking sound of the spatula on the grill may enjoy sitting at a table in the sushi bar area of the restaurant. You can order sushi OR from the regular menu.
If you don't like the wait or the environment, you can always call-in your special order for pick-up. It is just as yummy! I would say that their menu is VERY autism friendly (GFCF), but the environment really depends on the child. All of our kids love Samurai - so it is worth a try!
Samurai is a favorite of many in Wichita Falls. Our family is no different. The rice, the secret sauce, the show the chefs put on. We love it all! Samurai has great lunch specials, but can be pricey at night. We save dinners at Samurai for "special occasions". We love Samurai because of the simple menu! The food can be EASILY ordered gluten and casein free. Hibachi Chicken, Beef, or Shrimp with soup and fried rice made with NO BUTTER and NO SAUCE is a GFCF meal! :)
Sometimes, you will get a Chef that doesn't want to work with you, but be persistent and don't take their attitude to heart. If your chef is very considerate about preparing the food in the special way you requested - thank them and tip them!
The environment can be overstimulating for some children - and awesome for others. Our youngest does NOT like to wait and will get sort-of fussy, so we have been taking in a package of gluten free pretzles to break up into small pieces for him to snack on while he waits. Children that are overstimulated by the clanking sound of the spatula on the grill may enjoy sitting at a table in the sushi bar area of the restaurant. You can order sushi OR from the regular menu.
If you don't like the wait or the environment, you can always call-in your special order for pick-up. It is just as yummy! I would say that their menu is VERY autism friendly (GFCF), but the environment really depends on the child. All of our kids love Samurai - so it is worth a try!
