"Sensory friendly films" are a great opportunity to take a toddler to the movies for the first time
Today is World Autism Awareness Day -- I hope you'll take some time to learn more about how Autism spectrum disorders affect kids...including, likely, someone close to you.
Seems the perfect opportunity to share Angela's tip for taking a toddler to the movies -- it's helpful for everyone:
My husband and I love going to movies, or at least we did before our 14 month-old was born. As parents of a young toddler, we haven’t ventured out to the theatre in a long time! Fortunately, I heard about “Sensory Friendly Films” presented by several theatres in conjunction with the Autism Society of America.
Participating theatres show a movie about twice a month with the volume turned down and lights up, and they waive the “Silence is Golden” rules – people are welcome to get up, move around, and make sound. Though my son isn’t autistic, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity for us to “test the waters” and let him see his first movie on the big screen without our fretting over his behavior.
More information about Sensory Friendly Films can be found at ASA’s website.
(or any Amazon link at Parent Hacks), you throw some change into our tip jar without any extra steps or cost to you. Thank you!
This is great! I work with children with behavioral health issues. I had no idea this even existed. I will check it out and see if our local theaters offer anything like it. Thanks for the info!
Posted by: alicia | 02 April 2009 at 12:54 PM
I certainly hope more theatres choose to participate, as Autism awareness grows across the country. I was disappointed to see that several states do not have a location for these Sensory Friendly Films yet.
Perhaps armed with this information, more parents can approach their local theatres to request their participation.
Posted by: Angela | 02 April 2009 at 01:03 PM
That is a great idea. I will have to find out if they are available here in Australia.
Posted by: Marita | 02 April 2009 at 01:09 PM
What a great idea. I see there are no AMC theaters in Oregon, though. I guess it's time to mention to Regal that they should get involved.
Posted by: Kristi | 02 April 2009 at 02:21 PM
This reminds me of the "movies for mommies" they had 5+ years ago when my older son was born (my memory is that these were aimed at babies, though, not older kids). It was a terrific way to get to see movies and not worry about disturbing other patrons...it was also nice that the lights were on and the volume was lower so I didn't worry about over stimulating a newborn.
Posted by: Lee | 03 April 2009 at 05:32 AM
This appeals strongly to me even as a non-autistic adult! I wish there were one near me (Iowa).
Posted by: Julie Qidwai | 03 April 2009 at 07:05 AM
Alamo Drafthouse Theaters have "Baby Day" showings every Tuesday on *all* their movies in the early afternoon. More intended for parents with very young babies rather than for young children themselves, since most of the movies are not G.
http://www.drafthouse.com/
We found that when our kids were very young (< 6mo) we could take them to regular movies and they'd invariably fall asleep while nursing without making a peep. Those were the days...
Posted by: nonplus | 03 April 2009 at 12:09 PM
This is extremely useful information. Thanks for posting it.
Posted by: RachelB | 04 April 2009 at 06:00 PM