One theater in Massachusetts recently began hosting sensory-friendly screenings of movies for children with special needs. The families who attend these showings do not typically have a chance to see movies in theaters because some children have trouble sitting still and others experience sensory overload. During a sensory-friendly screening at Chunky's Cinema Pub, the lights remain on, the sound is kept low, and children are able to run around and talk during the movie. A mother of a 14-year-old girl with autism in Hemet, CA, told the North County Times that, "We were worried she'd make too much noise. She does a lot of vocal stimming." But thanks to the Autism Movie Day at Temeku Cinemas in Temecula, CA, "We just felt like we weren't being judged. It was very comfortable." Kevin Casey, the general manager of this particular Temeku Cinema, said that the idea came from a local resident who is the mother of two teenage sons with autism. Laurie Rathbun helped to launch the Autism Movie Day program a little over a year ago. Today, families who attend these special screenings enjoy discounted ticket prices, family-friendly films shown without previews, lowered sound and dimmed lights. Parents are also welcome to bring their own food, though the concession stand remains open as well. National chain AMC Theaters also brings sensory friendly films once a month to families with children who are autistic. For a list of participating theaters and upcoming showings, go here. As Rathbun...

Massachusetts theater hosts sensory-friendly movie screenings for kids with special needs, featuring lower sound and brighter lights.

Special Movie Showings for Special Needs Kids

One theater in Massachusetts recently began hosting sensory-friendly screenings of movies for children with special needs. The families who attend these showings do not typically have a chance to see movies in theaters because some children have trouble sitting still and others experience sensory overload. During a sensory-friendly screening at Chunky's Cinema Pub, the lights remain on, the sound is kept low, and children are able to run around and talk during the movie.  A mother of a 14-year-old girl with autism in Hemet, CA, told the North County Times that, "We were worried she'd make too much noise. She does a lot of vocal stimming." But thanks to the Autism Movie Day at Temeku Cinemas in Temecula, CA, "We just felt like we weren't being judged. It was very comfortable."  Kevin Casey, the general manager of this particular Temeku Cinema, said that the idea came from a local resident who is the mother of two teenage sons with autism. Laurie Rathbun helped to launch the Autism Movie Day program a little over a year ago. Today, families who attend these special screenings enjoy discounted ticket prices, family-friendly films shown without previews, lowered sound and dimmed lights. Parents are also welcome to bring their own food, though the concession stand remains open as well.  National chain AMC Theaters also brings sensory friendly films once a month to families with children who are autistic. For a list of participating theaters and upcoming showings, go here.  As Rathbun...

Most children love going to the cinema, but while movie-going is a pleasant experience for many families, it can be difficult for families with children with autism. The bright screen in a very dark room and the loud sounds from surrounding speakers is often over-stimulating and frightening for children with autism, and they often have to leave before the movie is over. Still other children find it difficult to sit still or stay quiet for an entire film, leading to the disruption of other families. The Autism Society and AMC Theaters have teamed up to present "Sensory Friendly Films" for children with autism and their families. The movies are family-friendly, and the traditional "Silence is Golden" philosophy is thrown out the window. During these screenings, the lights in the auditorium will be brought up, and the sound will be turned down. Families are encouraged to bring their own gluten- and casein-free snacks, and the audience is allowed to stand up, walk around, dance, shout, or sing. Basically any behavior is allowed unless it presents harm or danger to the other audience members. For those who do not know much about autism might not understand that children with autism are extremely sensitive to the sights and sounds in a typical movie theater, and this stimulation often leads to distress or discomfort, or the stimulation is so thrilling that a child with autism might screech with excitement. The accommodation of simply turning up the lights...

AMC Theaters and the Autism Society offer Sensory Friendly Films with adjusted lights and sound for children with autism and their families.

Sensory Friendly Films for Autism

 Most children love going to the cinema, but while movie-going is a pleasant experience for many families, it can be difficult for families with children with autism. The bright screen in a very dark room and the loud sounds from surrounding speakers is often over-stimulating and frightening for children with autism, and they often have to leave before the movie is over. Still other children find it difficult to sit still or stay quiet for an entire film, leading to the disruption of other families.   The Autism Society and AMC Theaters have teamed up to present "Sensory Friendly Films" for children with autism and their families. The movies are family-friendly, and the traditional "Silence is Golden" philosophy is thrown out the window.   During these screenings, the lights in the auditorium will be brought up, and the sound will be turned down. Families are encouraged to bring their own gluten- and casein-free snacks, and the audience is allowed to stand up, walk around, dance, shout, or sing. Basically any behavior is allowed unless it presents harm or danger to the other audience members.   For those who do not know much about autism might not understand that children with autism are extremely sensitive to the sights and sounds in a typical movie theater, and this stimulation often leads to distress or discomfort, or the stimulation is so thrilling that a child with autism might screech with excitement. The accommodation of simply turning up the lights...

When going to the cinema, I love the previews almost as much as actually getting to see the movie. But on this weekend's movie trip, the pre-movie advertising proved to be infuriating. Before a trailer for the documentary "Bully" was an advertisement for "autism awareness." I was excited because finally, awareness campaigns are being placed in front of the general public. The narrator of this video spoke about the man behind him and said, "he is autistic" and briefly described the disorder. The narrator then said, "and he just so happens to be a great opera singer." Right then and there, I tuned out — and I was angry. Because did the narrator not mean to say, "he's a great opera singer, and he just so happens to have autism"? There is such a negative implication with the word autism, and I wonder how all the negativity impacts children with autism and their families. We often hear "I hate autism" or "autism is bad," and most children with the disorder know "I have autism." So if "autism is bad" and "I have autism," by the law of syllogism, isn't the phrase "I am bad" also true? Ten years ago, many people might have heard the term "autism" but had no idea what it meant. Today, people can't walk into the grocery store and not notice a child with autism. Autism is more prevalent (1 in 88 children diagnosed, according to the...

A call to stop 'othering' autism, suggesting awareness ads should focus on individuals' talents before their diagnosis, to combat stigma.

The &#8220;Othering&#8221; of Autism

 When going to the cinema, I love the previews almost as much as actually getting to see the movie. But on this weekend's movie trip, the pre-movie advertising proved to be infuriating.   Before a trailer for the documentary "Bully" was an advertisement for "autism awareness." I was excited because finally, awareness campaigns are being placed in front of the general public. The narrator of this video spoke about the man behind him and said, "he is autistic" and briefly described the disorder. The narrator then said, "and he just so happens to be a great opera singer."   Right then and there, I tuned out — and I was angry. Because did the narrator not mean to say, "he's a great opera singer, and he just so happens to have autism"?   There is such a negative implication with the word autism, and I wonder how all the negativity impacts children with autism and their families. We often hear "I hate autism" or "autism is bad," and most children with the disorder know "I have autism." So if "autism is bad" and "I have autism," by the law of syllogism, isn't the phrase "I am bad" also true?   Ten years ago, many people might have heard the term "autism" but had no idea what it meant. Today, people can't walk into the grocery store and not notice a child with autism. Autism is more prevalent (1 in 88 children diagnosed, according to the...

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Special Needs
Articles

Special Movie Showings for Special Needs Kids

Sensory Friendly Films for Autism

The “Othering” of Autism

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs Articles

Special Movie Showings for Special Needs Kids

Sensory Friendly Films for Autism

The &#8220;Othering&#8221; of Autism

Find Providers Near You

Special Needs
Articles

The “Othering” of Autism