AMC and Autism Society present sensory-friendly movies Sept. 19 and 26

AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. Sensory Friendly Films® premiered across the country in August 2008, and will continue this month with a showing of "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, and 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 26. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on the day of the event.

Near Redmond, a participating theater is the AMC Woodinville 12, 17640 Garden Way NE in downtown Woodinville.

Other participating theaters are listed at www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms. This nationwide event has 81 participating theaters in 44 markets.

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It often comes with sensory challenges, such as hypersensitivity to light or sound. Children or adults affected by autism may not understand the social boundaries of movie theater etiquette, such as not talking during the film or sitting still through most of the show.

In order to provide a more comfortable setting for children with autism or other special needs, AMC movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned.

An estimated 30 million people in the world have an autism spectrum disorder, 1.5 million in America alone. Every day in America, 67 families learn their child has autism. These families face challenges of care, support, education, financial hardship and medical and health care issues that make autism a national public health issue, costing the U.S. economy $60 billion a year. Though there is no cure, autism is treatable and individuals with autism have tremendous potential.

The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. Visit www.autism-society.org.

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