AHA-Backed Autism Role Breaking Barriers

Australia has one of the highest rates of autism in the world.

Diagnoses have doubled in the last decade, climbing above four per cent of children.

It’s a significant number and Kaitlin Withers is determined to see they are catered for.

Kaitlin, who started work as a liaison officer with Autism SA last year, is helping to grow awareness within the hospitality industry, as well as the wider community.

Her role is sponsored by the AHA|SA and she has become something of a trailblazer for the cause.

“I have a lot of experience volunteering with people with intellectual disabilities and a very strong interest in the field,” Kaitlin said.

“It’s just a unique role.

“I don’t think there’s enough going on in this space.

"Everything I do is kind of a first, so I think that’s really valuable.”

Already, she has overseen the inception of ‘Quiet Dinners’.

Believed to be an Australian first, they were launched at The Arkaba in February after talks with Hurley Hotel Group manager Anna Hurley.

It was a great success and three more venues have since come on board – the Bridgeport Hotel in Murray Bridge, the Brompton Hotel and the Oak & Iron Tavern in Mount Barker.

Quiet Dinners are normally held on a monthly basis, usually early in the week, starting around 5pm.

It works for pubs looking to bring people to their venues on nights that are traditionally not too busy. But it demands a completely different approach to meet the needs of their patrons.

“Considering the sensory environment is really the main goal,” Kaitlin said.

“Generally, the venues have to have dimmable lighting and it will be at least 50 per cent lower than normal.

“We also prefer that people have a private bar to order so they don’t have to go into the busier parts of the venue.

“We like people to have a breakout space where someone can go to be on their own if they’re feeling overwhelmed.

“And a lot of venues have offered ‘fidget toys’ and bean bags to make it a really nice place.

“We try to make it so there is no background noise or music.

“And we space out tables so the noise from other people talking isn’t too overwhelming as well.”

The dinners are largely populated by young families with autistic children and events at the Arkaba have been extremely well patronised.

They also provide an ideal opportunity for adults with autism to enjoy a social evening with their friends.

“At the first Quiet Dinner, there was one woman who had an acquired brain injury who found most dining experiences were too stimulating.

“So she invited five of her friends and family to come along so they could spend time with her.”

Feedback from surveys of attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, she said.

“People feel really grateful that they’ve tried to be included and they find it to be a lot more calm and suitable for them than a normal dinner.”

Menus With A Difference

Participating venues are already exploring what else they can do to make their Quiet Dinners even more accessible.

“After surveying their customers, one cool thing the Oak & Iron has done is create a menu with no seasonings or sauces on it.

“It’s totally bland food and they can even choose to have it separated on a cafeteria plate.

“I have encouraged more simplified kinds of foods because people don’t want to eat really fancy food with all these different flavours and textures.

“And some venues have tried visual menus because pictures can help a lot.”

Kaitlin said simple, accurate descriptions of dishes are also vital.

“I had lunch with an autistic woman and there was a different type of sauce in her cheeseburger than the menu stated.

“Her mother tried to wipe the sauce off but she couldn’t eat it. You don’t want any surprises that’s for sure.”

More Opportunities

The media hype generated by the Quiet Dinners has helped raise awareness of the need and demand for social opportunities for people with autism.

“Once hotels learned about it, it suddenly didn’t seem crazy anymore, it seemed like a reasonable thing to do.”

Brompton Quiet Dinner Sensory Zone.

But she said there is still much work to be done.

“People’s knowledge of autism could definitely be a lot better.

“I think some people maybe don’t appreciate the need for it. A lot of the people who have chosen to get on board tend to have a family member who is autistic or they know someone who is.

“But some people still don’t get it.”

Are You Interested?

Kaitlin is now looking to discuss ideas with any venues keen to explore new opportunities.

“It would be great to see some ways to facilitate young adults to meet because we know that loneliness and isolation is a really big issue,” she said.

“The first one we’re doing is a quiz night at the Marion Hotel.

“If we had speed dating or games nights, I think that would be really great too.

“We’ve talked with the Kent Town Hotel about making one part of their venue permanently accessible so anyone can go in any day and know it will be a relatively low sensory area.”

Training For Hospo Staff

Kaitlin has also been involved in training hospitality staff to raise autism awareness and working on education programs for the sector to achieve a better understanding of the needs of autistic people.

“I’m working on a big information pack for venue owners with useful information in regards to both customers as well as potential employees who are autistic,” she said.

“Hopefully within a month we’ll be able to put it on the AHA website and it will have all the information you could possibly need.”

If your venue would like to get involved and explore ways to become more inclusive for the Autistic community, please contact Kaitlin on 0403 420 619, or email at kwithers@autismsa.org.au