Going to the movies with the family is a part of childhood, and of parenting, that many people take for granted.
But for families with autistic children, it isn’t easy. Kids with the disability may behave in ways that disturb other audience members, and they may also suffer from sensitivities to light or noise that can make moviegoing an upsetting experience for them.
AMC Theatres and the Autism Society of America have come up with an answer to both challenges. The multiplex chain’s new “Sensory Friendly Films” program, developed in partnership with ASA, offers monthly showings of family-friendly movies with a few adjustments for the sake of autistic kids.
The house lights are left up slightly, the sound is slightly lowered, and the chain’s “Silence is Golden” rule is suspended, allowing kids to vocalize, and to walk or dance in the aisles.
According to ASA spokesperson Carin Yavorcik, the program was conceived in November of 2007, when a woman in Columbia, Md., took her autistic daughter to see the movie version of the musical Hairspray.
“She loved it, and she got up and sang in the aisles. She just reacted with such joy,” says Yavorcik. “But people complained, and the manager had to ask them to leave. So she approached the manager of her local AMC and asked if he could set up a screening.”
The idea caught on, and in August 2008 the program debuted officially, with a showing of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, in 10 of AMC’s markets, including the Valley.
It’s now in more than 30 markets. The movies here are shown at 10 a.m. one Saturday morning a month, at AMC Mesa Grand for east Valley families, and AMC Deer Valley for westside folks.
In choosing movies for the series, AMC’s Cindy Huffstickler says:
“We look at family-oriented films, not necessarily animated, but a G- or PG-rated film. It isn’t always on the same Saturday of the month; they’re scheduled according to the release date of the movie.”
Thus, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, is scheduled Saturday, May 23.
So far, the program has been a success-“People have written us to tell us that this was the first time their family was able to go out in a non-stressful environment,” says Yavorcik.
AMC and ASA plan a yet deeper association, however.
Yavorcik notes that 76 percent of teenagers over 16 with autism have never even looked for a job. Given the difficulties of their condition, this is understandable, but to remedy this, says Yavorcik, “As part of our partnership, AMC is doing a workforce program to hire people with autism.
“It’s in its early stages; we’re just starting to plan it. But we’re very excited.”
Information: autism-society.org or http://www.amctheatres.com.
