Grandmother Suffers Panic Attack After Restaurant Denies Outside Food for Autistic Grandson
An Idaho restaurant's policy led to distress for a family seeking to accommodate a young child's dietary needs.
An Idaho grandmother experienced a panic attack after a restaurant denied her family's request to bring in outside food for her three-year-old grandson, who has autism and avoidant or restrictive food intake disorder.
Patty Anselmo and her family were dining at Caddyshack Pub and Grill in Coeur d’Alene on a recent Saturday evening when they were informed they could not bring in outside food. The family had brought Mod pizza for the child, Cason, as he has a restricted diet and will only eat pizza from that brand or Costco.
"He's autistic," Anselmo's daughter reportedly told a staff member who approached their table. The staff member responded, "That does not matter," according to Anselmo.
Anselmo stated that the situation overwhelmed her, leading to a severe panic attack that required medical attention from the fire department. "It's just the emotions that go behind not being able to protect your grandson and allow him to eat," she explained. Cason was unable to eat for the remainder of the night after the family left the establishment.
Restaurant staff cited Idaho state code as the reason for prohibiting outside food. Marni Lundblad, a co-owner of Caddyshack Pub and Grill, expressed concern over food standards and cross-contamination but acknowledged this was the first such incident in her 28 years of business.
However, the Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that businesses serving the public provide reasonable modifications for individuals with disabilities, which can include allowing outside food for dietary needs related to a disability.
Lundblad indicated that the experience would prompt her to re-evaluate the restaurant's policy on outside food for individuals with disabilities. Anselmo also reflected on the incident, suggesting her family could have proactively informed the restaurant management about Cason's dietary restrictions before their arrival.
Caddyshack Pub and Grill has been contacted for further comment.
