"Sensitive Sensory Cinema" for Children with Disabilities

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Rave Motion Pictures has introduced a new monthly series of movie screenings called "Sensitive Sensory Cinemas," geared to families with children who have special needs—specifically, those who have a disability or are on some stage of the autism spectrum.

In an announcement of the series, Jason Wiles, lead manager at Rave, wrote, "We realize that bringing children with autism to the theater can be quite a challenge. Each child reacts differently to the normal conditions of the theater, darkened theaters, and loud sound systems. These shows are shown at a light and sound level which will be more inviting for these families.

"We also realize that the normal standards of theater etiquette of 'please sit and be quiet' can also be challenging. We want to emphasize that during these performances, the lighting will be left on high, the sound will be turned down, and our patrons are free to talk, sing, or move around the theater during the show."

College Students Provide Sensory Movie Screening for Children on the Spectrum

Don't usually pick up stories from college papers - but having spent many a morning, day and night working at "the maneater," the student paper at the University of Missouri, I couldn't pass this one up. It does seem that more communities are providing these sensory screenings.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- For most children with autism, trips to the local movie theater are difficult because of sensitivity to light and sound and anxiety in large social situations. This past Saturday, several University of Missouri students organized a sensory screening for children with autism.
The viewing of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," which took place Saturday at Hollywood Theaters, used lower volume, a moderated temperature and kept the theatre lights on. All these precautions were taken to accommodate the hypersensitive senses associated with the disorder.