Taking a child to the cinema is something that most parents take for granted. OK, so you might have fidgeting, excited chatting or even crying (if the film is a bit scary or sad), but generally taking kids to the movies is a breeze. But it’s not so easy if you’re the parent of a sensory sensitive child.

The Problem

The whole movie experience can be completely overwhelming for a sensory sensitive child – just think of the things that they have to face:-

• The theater suddenly becoming dark
• Sudden loud noises which are amplified by surround sound systems
• Fast moving images on a huge screen
• Lots of people in a confined space

All this can be just too much for the child and can result in tears, tantrums and fear. However, all is not lost and it is now possible for children who are sensory sensitive to enjoy the same movies that their peers are enjoying and talking about.

How?

The Solution

AMC Entertainment has collaborated with the Autism Society of America (ASA) to give children with special needs, and their families, the chance to see top movies through their “Sensory Friendly Films Program”.

The “Sensory Friendly Films Program” means that once a month, participating theaters all over the USA will do special showings of a top film in a “safe and accepting environment”. Features of these special showings include:-

• Film soundtrack turned down
• Theater lights brought up
• No previews or trailers before the movie
• Parents and carers can bring their own snack food – so children can enjoy GFCF snacks
• AMC’s usual silence policy will not be enforced – Children and adults will be free to talk, dance, sing, get up out of their seats and stretch their legs etc. without worrying about being a

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