AMC Has 2 More Chances to See Star Wars Sensory Friendly
Last updated on January 13th, 2016 at 11:01 am
In case you’ve missed it, AMC Entertainment (AMC) has expanded their Sensory Friendly Films program, in partnership with the Autism Society! This month, you get two more chances to see the new Star Wars movie sensory friendly – once on Saturday (as usual) and once on Tuesday evening, since this is a film that may appeal to both younger and older audiences on the autism spectrum.
As always, the movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
AMC and the Autism Society will be showing Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Saturday, January 9th at 10am and Tuesday, January 12th at 7pm (both local time). Tickets are $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming later in January: Norm of the North (Sat, 1/23) and Ride Along 2 (Tues, 1/26)
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Editor’s note: Although Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been chosen by AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly screening, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for sci-fi action violence. As always, please check the IMDB Parent’s Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your child.
Milestones for Parents of Special Needs Children
Last updated on January 6th, 2016 at 07:10 am
From the moment a baby is born, new parents (not to mention pediatricians) tend to obsess about milestones. Rolling over, sitting up, babbling, first steps are not only signs of your child’s development they also feel like validation that you are doing your parenting job correctly. But sometimes when you have a special needs baby these milestones don’t happen on schedule – sometimes they may not happen at all. Of course it has nothing to do with your parenting, but many times it is impossible to avoid feeling like you failed as a parent, especially when the other parents around you are gushing with pride over their typical baby’s milestones and accomplishments. So as we get ready to ring in a New Year, I suggest we continue to celebrate every inch of progress our special needs children make in their own time, and also become aware of the milestones we reach as special needs parents.
The first time I left my baby home with daddy so I could go to the grocery store I was a wreck! And that was one of my typical babies! Now that they are older I walk out of the house without a second thought – milestone! I used to stand ready to jump in with every task for my special needs child. Now I see that she needs to be independent, even if that means sweeping up and throwing out half a box of Cheerios (again). I have to let her try, even if she is only partially successful. Milestone!
I don’t know what the milestones look like for you, but take a moment to appreciate your development as a special needs parent. You might just be amazed at how far you have come!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is Sensory Friendly for the Holidays
Last updated on December 29th, 2015 at 11:39 am
AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs ”Sensory Friendly Films“ every month – wonderful opportunities to enjoy favorite “family-friendly” films in a safe and accepting environment. And now they are also featuring PG-13 films – like the new Star Wars film! – for older audience members on the autism spectrum.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! “It can be challenging enough to bring ANY child to a movie theater” says PedSafe Special Needs Parenting Expert Rosie Reeves. “For a parent with a special needs child attempting an outing like this may seem overwhelming. And yet getting out, being with the community and sharing in an experience with an audience can be invaluable for just such children”.
On Tuesday, December 22nd at 7pm local time, Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be screened as part of the “Sensory Friendly Films” program. Tickets are $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of participating AMC theatres nationwide (note: to access list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming later in December: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Sat, 12/26)
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Editor’s note: Although Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been chosen by AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly screening, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for sci-fi action violence. As always, please check the IMDB Parent’s Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your child.
AMC has The Good Dinosaur Sensory Friendly on Saturday
Last updated on December 18th, 2015 at 11:12 am
AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
This Saturday, December 12th, at 10am local time, AMC and the Autism Society’s “Sensory Friendly Film” program will be showing The Good Dinosaur. Tickets are $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming later in December: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Tues, 12/22 and Sat, 12/26)
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Editor’s note: Although The Good Dinosaur has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for peril, action and thematic elements. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your child.
Tomorrow the New Hunger Games Movie is Sensory Friendly
Last updated on December 18th, 2015 at 11:11 am
AMC Entertainment (AMC) has expanded their Sensory Friendly Films program, in partnership with the Autism Society! This Tuesday evening, families affected by autism or other special needs have the opportunity to view a sensory friendly screening of the new Hunger Games movie, Mockingjay – Part 2, a film that may appeal to older audiences on the autism spectrum.
As always, the movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
AMC and the Autism Society will be showing the Hunger Games movie, Mockingjay – Part 2, tomorrow, Tuesday, December 8th at 7pm (local time). Tickets are $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming later in December: The Good Dinosaur (Sat, 12/12) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Tues, 12/22 and Sat, 12/26)
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Editor’s note: Although The Hunger Games – Mockingjay Part 2 has been chosen by the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly screening, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for intense sequences of violence and action, and for some thematic material. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your child.
AMC has The Good Dinosaur Sensory Friendly on Saturday
Last updated on December 5th, 2015 at 11:44 pm
AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
This Saturday November 28th, at 10am local time, AMC and the Autism Society’s “Sensory Friendly Film” program will be showing The Good Dinosaur. Tickets are $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming in December: The Hunger Games – Mockingjay – Part 2 (Tues, 12/08); The Good Dinosaur (Sat, 12/12); and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Tues, 12/22 and Sat, 12/26)
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Editor’s note: Although The Good Dinosaur has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for peril, action and thematic elements. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your child.
