Today, my husband, our three children, and I visited Yogurt Craze after school to support…read moreRiverglades Elementary School and our school's PTA fundraiser. Unfortunately, what should have been a fun family outing turned into a very uncomfortable and disappointing experience.
We are a family of five, and all three of our children are on the autism spectrum. From the moment we walked in, we did not feel welcomed.
We wanted to sit together as a family at a table where our children could enjoy watching the cartoons playing on the TV. However, an older woman, who I believe may have been the owner, approached my husband and told him our daughter could not sit there. She then instructed me and my youngest daughter to sit somewhere else, away from the rest of our family. Why should a family of five have to sit separately, especially when we are simply trying to enjoy an outing together?
There were other parents and children from our school enjoying themselves, yet I couldn't help but feel that this woman was constantly watching and singling out our family, almost as if she suspected we were going to steal something. It was an extremely uncomfortable feeling, and I couldn't understand why we were being treated differently.
To make matters worse, there was a plant near the front of the store. While my youngest daughter and I were sitting down, this woman approached us again and told us to "please be gentle with the plant." My children weren't even touching or playing with the plant! It felt like we were being watched and corrected for things we weren't even doing.
I cannot say what motivated this woman's behavior, but the way we were singled out made me question whether discrimination played a role. No family should ever be made to feel unwelcome or uncomfortable because of who they are or because their children have special needs.
On top of the unpleasant treatment, the seating areas were dirty and did not appear to be properly cleaned.
My husband and I strongly believe in supporting small, family-owned businesses, especially those that give back to our children's school. That is the entire reason we visited today. However, after the way we were treated, neither my husband nor I even wanted to purchase anything for ourselves.
As parents of three autistic children, all we ask is that our family be treated with the same kindness, patience, and respect as everyone else. Our children deserve to feel welcomed and included, not singled out or made to feel like a burden.
Sadly, based on our experience, I would not consider Yogurt Craze a welcoming or autism-friendly environment for our family.
We came to support our school and a local business, but we left feeling disappointed, uncomfortable, and disrespected.
We will not be returning or spending another penny at this establishment. I truly hope the management takes this feedback seriously and learns to treat ALL families and children with kindness and respect.