From the
Chicago Tribune. In the picture, Evan Smith of Grayslake, 17, left, who is autistic, joined by his father Eric, snack while waiting for "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," to start at AMC Theatres.
At a recent screening of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" at the AMC Northbrook Court 14, the lights were a little brighter and the sound a little softer, and there were no ads before the feature film.
Most of the moviegoers who had nestled into their seats probably didn't realize the screening was a special event part of a program that welcomes those affected by autism to gobble some popcorn, slurp a pop and enjoy the show.
The screening was the latest installment in the AMC theater chain's Sensory Friendly Screenings. Audience members are invited to roam the aisles, dance, sing and talk out loud.
"It's a good time for families with members on autism spectrum, any special-needs person or anybody who wants to come and enjoy this atmosphere," said AMC's Cindy Huffstickler, who was part of the team that helped develop AMC's program, in conjunction with the Autism Society.
The changes, while subtle, make moviegoing more relaxing.
"A lot of the time, people with autism have sensory sensitivity that makes loud noises physically painful," said Carin Yavorcik, an Autism Society spokeswoman and another team member. "A couple of parents have told us their child was afraid to go into the theater, and in a totally dark room, the flashing lights can be confusing."
The Sensory Friendly Screenings have their roots in Elkridge, Md., where in July 2007, Marianne Ross took her daughter, Meaghan, to see "Hairspray." The 7-year-old clapped and danced to the music, which prompted the theater manager to throw the pair out.
Meaghan, who has autism, was responding to the film the way her mind told her to react. The theater manager was reacting to a situation he didn't fully understand.
Fast-forward to November of that year at the AMC Columbia 14 theater in nearby Columbia, where Ross had helped organize a screening of "Bee Movie" targeted to families affected by autism. Three-hundred people packed the house.
"It was wonderful," said Ross. "Kids were clapping and laughing. It was just really nice not to have to worry about kids getting shushed or laughed at."
Currently, some 90 AMC theaters host Sensory Friendly Screenings in about 45 domestic markets. Warrenville's AMC Cantera 30 and the AMC South Barrington 30 theaters also participate.
The Kerasotes chain of theaters offers a similar program, All Star Saturdays, geared toward families living with autism.
AMC "saw the success of the program in Columbia and felt like this was the right thing to do: helping people who had not had the ability to see a movie," said Huffstickler. She would not provide attendance figures. "A lot of times, this is the first time they've gotten to do this type of activity as a family."
For the monthly events, AMC chooses current feature films rated G or PG. They avoid 3D pictures. (During the April 10 Sensory Friendly Screenings, participating theaters will show the 2D version of "How to Train Your Dragon.") The price is the same as other morning movies: $6 a person, with free admission for children under 2.
The screenings are marketed via e-mail from the national Autism Society and their member chapters, which also distribute fliers at their events and in schools and doctors' offices. Most effective, said Yavorzic, is word of mouth.
Kinks still need to be worked out with logistics, such as alerting ticket buyers at the box office that the film they're seeing is part of the program. At the most recent screening in Northbrook, one woman decided to leave upon learning that she and her brood had stumbled into. Eric Smith, seated a few rows ahead with son Evan, gently convinced her that the experience would hardly be different than another showing.
"So many parents can't take their kids to the movie, so this is great," said Smith, of Grayslake, president of the Autism Society Northeast Illinois Chapter. He has been to a half dozen screenings with Evan,17, who he said lands near the severe end of the autism spectrum, which makes verbalizing a little tricky.
At the front of the theater was the Bianco family. Paul had reservations about taking his son Sam, 5, to his first film since he has cognitive and sensory issues, as well as trouble vocalizing his feelings. Therapy is helping to address problems with crowds.
The boy rocked a bit in his chair and fidgeted a few times, but overall he enjoyed his inaugural theater experience. And dad was relieved.
"Would I take him on opening weekend to a filled theater? No," said Paul Bianco, who had traveled to Northbrook from Chicago's Roscoe Village neighborhood, "but I would take him to a theater where there weren't big crowds or the fear of disturbing others. He liked the movie, and everybody enjoyed themselves."
From the Chicago Tribune. In the picture, Evan Smith of Grayslake, 17, left, who is autistic, joined by his father Eric, snack while waiting for "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," to start at AMC Theatres.
