Parents of special education students in Charles County, Maryland, met with Cracker Barrel executives following an incident where a group of students were turned away from dining in at a restaurant. The parents expressed disappointment with the meeting, as tensions were high and emotions ran strong.
The incident occurred on a community-based instruction field trip for students with significant cognitive disabilities and autism. Despite being refused service at the Waldorf Cracker Barrel, the students were allowed to place a to-go order, which resulted in a long wait for carryout meals.
Following the incident, Cracker Barrel dismissed three workers, including the general manager, and promised to provide training for staff at the Waldorf location. An organized protest was planned at the restaurant in response to the incident, with many parents of special needs children expressing interest.
Parents of special needs children, like one mother who recalled a previous negative experience on a field trip with her autistic son, find such incidents triggering. The increasing number of children diagnosed with autism in recent years has led to a growing need for support and resources in schools.
Despite the challenges, parents like Johnna Penrod are grateful for programs like SOAR in the Charles County Public Schools, which provide a supportive environment for students with autism to learn and grow comfortably. Penrod ultimately chose to keep her daughter enrolled in the program despite considering alternative options after the incident at Cracker Barrel.
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