Somerville hosts 'autism-friendly' holiday season dinner for local families

A local organization in Somerville is hosting a "friendsgiving" dinner for autistic children and their families.

Autism Eats, a local nonprofit focused on creating "autism-friendly" social gatherings, partnered with Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballatyne and city police to throw a buffet-style dinner party where "all behaviors are welcome."

Leonard Zohn, founder of Autism Eats, helped organize the event at Mount Vernon Restaurant Tuesday. Zohn, whose son has autism, explained that families like his own may at times hesitate to eat out, as restaurants can be stressful settings for their children.

"We would feel that pressure, you know, people looking at us and any enjoyment we would have would be outweighed by that stress," Zohn said.

For Tuesday's meal, Zohn said families get set up in private rooms, and he and his team worked hard to ensure every detail — from music to lighting and more — was tailored to meet the needs of the children and families that participate.

"It's entirely, nonjudgmental," Zohn said. "Any behaviors, outbursts — any iPads playing too loudly, people running around the restaurant — is completely acceptable and encouraged."

The ultimate goal, Zohn said, is for everyone to "be themselves and enjoy the night to the fullest in the way that makes them the happiest."

And that goes for the parents and siblings who attend, too. They'll get a chance, Zohn said, to mingle with others who "share the same joys and challenges of being part of the autism world."

A few hours before the event, Zohn said tickets were nearly sold out.