What can I use if I do not have a pretend menu?

Draw two food pictures on paper, use large food photos from packaging, or tape two simple pictures to a sheet. Keep the choices flat and easy to point to.

Can my child order without talking?

Yes. A point, tap, look, ticket handoff, or your child's usual communication support can count as the order.

Does this need to happen right before a restaurant trip?

No. Use it on a quiet day first, then bring back the same words or wait card before a real outing if that helps your child recognize the routine.

Back to library

Toddler choosing from a picture menu at a kitchen table with an order ticket and wait card nearby.

Skill builderAutism supportRepeat LoopIndoor

Menu Order Wait.

Use a small picture menu and the wait card. Let your child pick one item, say `we wait`, count a few beats, flip to `food here`, and end after that single practice turn.

Let your child choose one food picture, place an order ticket, wait for the card flip, and reset for another short turn.

Skill builderAutism supportRepeat LoopIndoor

Menu Order Wait.

Let your child choose one food picture, place an order ticket, wait for the card flip, and reset for another short turn.

Play time

5+ min

Age

2-3 years

Energy

Low

Mess

Low

Effort

Medium

Where

Indoor

Start here

The recipe.

Medium parent effort

7 things

What you need

1 simple pretend menu with 2 to 3 picture food choices
1 order ticket card or small paper square
1 two-sided wait card with `wait` on one side and `food here` on the other
1 placemat, tray, or clear table spot for the pretend order area
your child's usual picture schedule or communication support, if used
1 adult
1 child

5 min minimum

Setup

Then start the loop

Step 01

At a kitchen table or low table, put the placemat or clear pretend order spot in front of your child and set the picture menu on it with only 2 to 3 food pictures showing.

Step 02

Place the order ticket beside the menu, then put the wait card above the menu with `wait` showing so both of you can see it.

Step 03

Keep your child's usual picture schedule or communication support beside the menu if they use one, then sit close enough to model one short turn.

Pick your food.

The loop

How play unfolds.

Three panels showing a child choosing a menu picture, placing an order ticket, waiting, and flipping the card to food here.

1
Point to the menu and say, `Pick one food.`
2
Let your child show the choice, then hand over the ticket, place it on the order spot, or use their usual support to order.
3
Show the `wait` side of the card for one brief pause and say, `We wait.`
4
Flip the card to `food here` and say, `Food is here.`
5
Reset the ticket and card, then repeat for a few calm turns or stop after one good turn if waiting was hard.

01
Point to the menu and say, `Pick one food.`
02
Let your child show the choice, then hand over the ticket, place it on the order spot, or use their usual support to order.
03
Show the `wait` side of the card for one brief pause and say, `We wait.`
04
Flip the card to `food here` and say, `Food is here.`
05
Reset the ticket and card, then repeat for a few calm turns or stop after one good turn if waiting was hard.

Safety Check

Stay with your child for the whole activity, and keep the menu, ticket, and wait card large enough for close supervision if your child mouths, tears, or throws paper pieces.
Keep the wait very short. Stop after one calm finished turn if the wait makes your child leave the table or get more upset each round.
Keep your child's usual communication or sensory supports beside the menu if they rely on them so the practice stays manageable.

Supporting the play

What to say in the moment

Match what you say to what you see.

Prompt ladder

Level 1 (Start)

Pick one food. Order it.

Level 2 (Keep going)

Ticket in. Wait, then flip.

Level 3 (Stretch)

Choose the next food.

Level 4 (Extend)

One more restaurant turn.

If your child seems...

What you'd see

Focused

What to do

Say

You picked. Now order it.

Add

Ask one light prompt such as `What food did you choose?`

Extend

Pause and let your child flip to `food here` with less help.

Make it easier

Younger end

-Keep the order ticket resting partly on the chosen picture so your child only has to push it forward.
-Fold or cover part of the menu so only one row of food pictures shows at a time.
-Let your child show the choice with a point, tap, or look while you handle the ticket and wait card.

Make it harder

Older end

+Have your child place the ticket on top of the chosen picture before handing it over.
+Pause after showing `wait` and see if your child remembers to stay seated until `food here`.
+Let your child reset the ticket and turn the card back to `wait` before the next order.

If it's not working

If you see

If child ignores it

Point to 2 choices only, model one pretend order yourself, and use one short cue such as `You pick`.

If you see

If child misuses it

If the ticket gets thrown, torn, or mouthed, keep the ticket in your hand and let your child point to the menu or use their usual communication support instead.

If you see

If child gets frustrated

Skip the extra wait, flip to `food here` after one very short pause, praise the finished turn, and stop there.

Skill spotlight

Restaurant Order Routine

Repeating a short restaurant order routine, Staying with one brief table wait

This helps a child move through one short public routine, hold onto a simple choice, and stay at the table long enough for the next step without rushing.

•The picture menu keeps the choice visible while your child moves through the same order routine each turn.
•The wait card makes the pause concrete: `wait` changes to `food here`, so the ending is not a surprise.
•The ticket gives your child one small action to finish before the pretend food arrives.
•The reset builds the same restaurant sequence again without adding more rules.

Real-world transfer