Our family does not go to theaters. There is no way that we can expect Pook to handle the crowd, the noise, and the brightness of the screen. We are fortunate enough to be able to go to the drive-in occasionally in the summertime. Yet, today I learned that there was a theater in my state that offers "Sensory Friendly Films". During this time, per the website, "The lights are turned up, the sound is turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!" Although I have not verified yet, I've also read on a different site that families are allowed to bring in their own gluten-free and casein-free snacks and that no advertisements will be shown before the movie!
I just checked with the one theater in my state offering this. The next show is March 20th and is The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. It's only showing that morning and it costs $5 each person, adult and child alike.
Here is the link to the Autism Society where I first found the information:
http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sensoryfilms
Here is the link to AMC Theater. Although not the only theaters offering this, it is the one that is most prominent. On this site, locate your state and city at the top of the screen. You will be lead to a page with two drop down boxes. The first, pick "Sensory Friendly Film" and the second the day and time. Since these showings are not weekly, and maybe not even monthly (my local one didn't offer the one this Saturday as seen on the Autism Society's website) it might be better off if you call them.
So, I'm off to mark my calendar! This will be the first time he's ever sat in a theater. Wonder what he'll think?
