Two comments to add here.
First I subscribe to the "we are not being told everything" side to this story.
Second..I am parent to an autistic child myself, and as much as it pains me to say this, some parents do use their children's condition to ask for and expect absolutely EVERYTHING as though it absolves them from any responsibility with their child at all ie lets go on a flight that does not serve hot food even though I know my daughter needs it (allegedly).
Take a look at when Disney changed their disability access cards due to the dishonesty in the system. The outcry on all sides was incredible...and this was a company trying to HELP those with disabilities.