You cannot always tell when someone has a disability or learning disorder because it is invisible. Invisible disabilities include ADD, ADHD, ASD, dyslexia and so many other diagnoses. I was recently at a restaurant and noticed a family having a challenge with a child. I saw the mother struggling and trying to figure out how to accommodate her child in public. The truth is, we should not always have to make excuses while a child is having challenges. It should be enough to educate people on how we can support them in these environments without altering other experiences.

The situation reminded me of a specific incident when our daughter was young. I went to a restaurant and unfortunately was treated poorly because I could not control our child. It was at that point that I almost stopped eating out completely. The chilling effect was that socialization became a challenge for our family. And then I found a restaurant that changed and altered my life. Ciccio Cali is an exceptional restaurant, not just for the food but because of the care they provide to their customers.

Most people go out for peace, to celebrate, or just to enjoy good quality food and time. That is no different for families with disabilities. Finding a safe space to be is important. It is always my goal to educate and inform. While I know it's difficult for many families, I hope as a society we create safe spaces for them to be their authentic selves.

Photo: "Cozy tables, fine southern light" by nordique, CC BY 2.0