On Monday, a women named Amanda Jean Braun posted a lengthy Facebook post detailing a troubling incident that reportedly took place at her local Outback Steakhouse restaurant in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
“Saturday night, the family and I decided to go to Outback Steakhouse in Glen Burnie for dinner. We were seated almost immediately. We ordered our drinks while skimming the menu then finally ordered our dinner,” Braun wrote.
Shortly after their meals arrived, writes Braun, a man who identified himself as the manager came to the table and stated that he had “received a noise complaint” about Braun’s 4-year-old son.
My son Killian was born with a neurological disorder that affects his speech called Childhood Apraxia of Speech. This disorder affects Killian in many ways especially communication and behavioral. He is a very energetic kid with much to say, however, when he speaks, his words are unclear.
Despite noting that he felt uneasy with his role in the situation, the manager reportedly asked the family to complete their dinner and leave the restaurant. He then offered them a $20 gift card “as an apology,” according to Braun, who added that she won’t return as she doesn’t want to “subject [her] son and the rest of [her] family to that type of discrimination.”
“Would we be asked to leave again if my son were to be loud?” the mother wondered.
Braun asked that people share the post, and said that she was going to contact Outback corporate.
“Outback labels itself as a family friendly restaurant – just not families with special needs restaurant,” Braun concluded.
The post has been shared more than 2,900 times.
Speaking with local ABC affiliate WJLA, Braun said that she’s no longer angry, but sad about the way her son will be treated going forward: “The anger has subsided and I’m left with sadness for my son and his future struggles of being in public.”
Outback also offered a statement to WJLA:
We’ve been in contact with the family and have personally apologized. We strive to make sure all guests feel comfortable and welcomed in our restaurants and we fell short. We’re learning from what happened and training our team so we can better serve our diverse guest population.
According to the Mayo Clinic, with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), “the brain struggles to develop plans for speech movement. With this disorder, the speech muscles aren’t weak, but they don’t perform normally because the brain has difficulty directing or coordinating the movements.”
The Facebook page for the Outback Steakhouse in Glen Burnie, Maryland, has been hit with a swath of negative reviews in the wake of the incident.
One reviewer stated: “Service is Horrible!!! Will Never eat at any OUTBACK again!!! Asking a family with a special needs child to leave the restaurant is absolutely disgusting!!! Shame on the manager for discriminating!! And shame on the Company for not getting rid of this piece of [poop emoji] manager!! Boycott Outback!!!!!!!!”
Interestingly, some commenters appeared to either agree with Outback’s decision, or have warned that there might be another side to the story:
“You were not there so why are you judging the situation based on one side of the story? Perhaps his actions were in line with the mandated policies and procedures of the company when a complaint is made? Anyway, there’s always two sides of the story and I will continue to give outback my business,” wrote one patron.
Another stated: “As a grandmother of 2 children with autism I will say I do not believe children, in restaurants, should be allowed to ruin others time. Parents of screaming infants take the baby out, toddlers throwing fits are taken out by a parent, same goes for a special needs child. Take the child out!”
Many others, however, sided with the family, with one commenter writing:
It’s amazing how all these people are labeling this child as a screaming or screaming, misbehaved kid. Please educate yourselves regarding what these diagnosis are along with their behaviors before passing judgment. I would tell the person who complained that this establishment accepts and supports people of all different areas of life – especially those with special needs, and they are welcomed to stay. I have watched this happen in other situations and it was so touching to find we have people in this world that are kind, caring, and compassionate.
The Daily Wire reached out to Amanda Jean Braun for comment, but as of publication, we have not received a reply.