AMC Sensory Friendly Films

Happy Spring RettGirls!

This week we want to tell you about an exciting feature AMC Theatres has for the Special Needs Community. It's called Sensory Friendly Films and you can find the link under...drum roll....... Sensory at RettGirl.org!

These kid-friendly movies take place once a month, on a Saturday at 10:00 am in most major markets.

Before I found these I remember thinking how unfair it was that my daughter couldn't even go see a movie, especially when I would see a preview for something she might like.

The first time I took her I was so nervous I almost didn't get out of the car. Once we got in the theatre and sat down I was much more comfortable, especially once the movie started. There were parents rolling fussy ones up and down the isles. The lights dim but don't go completely out. The best part is the sound doesn't blare your head straight off or scare your girl out of her wits.

I witnessed a child have a seizure and nobody freaked out. Another child had to have suction through a trach and still nothing more than a sideways glance. There were a couple who ran around like banshees but it was OK because I was there for my girl and she was enjoying herself! She watched the movies, the other kids and had a ball squealing while kicking my knees into mush. No one hushed us or gave us that "look!"

Now if every market would think of disabled children ... what a wonderful world this would be. We'll get there.

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From the company website:

The program provides a special opportunity for families to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing!

The idea for the program began with a request from a parent with an autistic child for a special screening at AMC Columbia Mall 14 in Columbia, MD. More than 300 children and parents attended the first screening.

AMC is thrilled to now offer the program at many locations nationwide — please click here for a complete list of participating theatres. As a leading theatrical exhibition company, we are so proud to be making a difference in the estimated 1.5 million Americans living with an autism spectrum disorder by offering families a chance to see a movie together — often for the very first time.

The films are once a month at 10 am on a Saturday.

Have fun. Let's go to the movies!

http://rettgirl.org/2011/03/amc-sensory-friendly-films/

Terri V~ For RettGirl