Aug 14, 2024, Nottinghamshire Live: The Nottingham restaurant that's opened a quieter and more relaxed space for people with autism
E. Midlands
A city centre buffet restaurant is starting 'autism-friendly' afternoons to allow diners a more relaxed and calming experience. May Sum, an all-you-can-eat spot in Upper Parliament Street, is a popular choice for visitors in Nottingham, serving up Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Malaysian dishes.
Restaurant owner Zen Doctzan explained her son had recently been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People with ASD can sometimes be sensitive to certain sensory triggers, such as bright lights and loud and sudden noises, meaning busy public spaces can often be overwhelming.
Many shops and supermarkets currently offer 'autistic friendly' hours and mornings, however, for Zen, the desire to create a more accessible and calmer space is something personal. "I've always wanted to do this, but I have personally been going through my own challenges," she said.
"My son is autistic and has ADHD so I can fully relate to what other parents are going through. Since he was a baby, I’ve always known something was there but I wasn’t quite sure what it was and I had to educate myself through time."
For the first autism-friendly afternoon, which took place on Monday (August 12) from 3-5pm, staff allowed families to dine in a quieter room. The room was previously used as a private karaoke space, and as such, is soundproof with shutter blinds and dim lights. . . .
Kimberley Grant, a disability campaigner from Bulwell, has backed the idea. Ms Grant, whose 13-year-old daughter Miley has ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which Ms Grant documents on social media, says she was contacted by Zen who shared her experiences and told her the idea for the restaurant.
"When I was told, it brought a tear to my eye," she said. "It's so hard in the holidays for families with ASD to go out and enjoy their day. Simple things like enjoying a meal as a family - you’ve not really got anywhere saying 'we're autism-friendly'.
. . . Hopefully, it might make other businesses around Nottingham think about doing something similar and make the city a bit more accessible.
"There is a lot of ignorance around autism, and people feel like they have to pull out all of the stops to accommodate people when it's usually just a small change. It could be as easy as slightly turning down the music or the lights - we could all make little differences." . . .
"But then at the same time, I do understand that not a lot of people are educated in this area, and they just see a child at 11 months old crying at a restaurant. Sometimes it’s lovely just to have your own space, where people don't judge.
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