South Australian woman’s bid for autism friendly dining

One Aussie pub has done something that no other pub in the country is doing. And it is heartwarming and brilliant.

An autistic woman has created one of Australia’s first sensory-friendly dining experiences so that people like her can enjoy a dinner out.

Deanna Flynn Wallis struggled for years with concentration at school, sensory issues and particularly resonated with a cousin who had been diagnosed with autism.

But it wasn’t until she began working with autistic children that she was empowered to get her own diagnosis.

It’s been two years since she was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, and one of the things Ms Wallis has particularly struggled with is going out to eat.

Deanna Flynn Wallis was diagnosed with autism and ADHD in 2022. Picture: Supplied/Elana Bayley Photography

“I always get very overwhelmed and have massive anxiety about going out, especially ordering off a menu I know isn’t suited to me or being around people who aren’t necessarily understanding,” she told news.com.au.

Many people with autism have sensory issues surrounding light, sound and the texture of clothes and food.

Her family own Oak and Iron Tavern in Mount Barker, South Australia, and she started thinking of ways their pub could be more friendly for people like herself.

It was then she thought of ‘build your own plate’.

She worked with Autism SA and the Australian Hotels Association to find out if she was the only person who had sensory needs around food and going out to eat, and when she discovered she wasn’t, she put together a sensory friendly quiet dinner at the pub.

The food is all separated. Picture: Supplied

“There’s chicken nuggets and chips, a staple in the autistic community. Everyone loves chicken nuggets,” she said.

“And there is another standard option of an amazing slow-cooked-for-six-hours plain beef pie and chips.”

Diners can choose from a variety of protein options such as grilled chicken, plain sausages or vegan nuggets, paired with carbohydrates such as plain penne pasta or plain mashed potatoes and a variety of vegetables.

All options are placed on a divided plate so that nothing touches and different seasonings and sauces are on the table so people can add whatever they like to their food.

The Oak and Iron Tavern is gearing up for their second sensory-friendly quiet dinner, which is held once a month.

Diners eat in a private function area with a separate bar and entry.

There is no music and there are sensory toys on the table.

She created a sensory-friendly menu for quiet dinners. Picture: Supplied/Elana Bayley Photography

The other venues, the Arkaba Hotel and the Brompton Hotel have also done quiet dinners with the latter recently creating their own sensory-friendly menu.

“It’s been so overwhelming to me to see responses on social media of people finally feeling seen and heard,” Ms Wallis said.

“We’ve had pubs reaching out from interstate to ask if they have some guidance on how to create a sensory menu.

“In our first dinner last month we had a beautiful mother and daughter come up from Adelaide and they hadn’t been out for a year-and-a-half because there’s so much anxiety surrounding going out.

“And for them to come up to us to feel safe and feel heard and comfortable was so beautiful to me that they chose us to be that first outing.”

Ms Wallis said she knew it was going to be popular, but she underestimated just how big it would get, adding it has been validating to her own journey.

For the next school holidays, there are plans for a sensory-friendly quiet lunch paired with a viewing of Despicable Me 4 as Ms Wallis owns Wallis Cinemas, which is next door to the pub.