|
This Day
in History
Read
about historical events that took place today
Calendar of Events
The Inquirer Forum
A place to post
your opinions & suggestions!
New!
Free Online
Classifieds
2009 Mt.
Vernon
Monthly Column
QUICK
LINKS
Archives
 
     
|
|
|
|
07-16-09
Bethesda, Maryland
Autism Society
and AMC Entertainment® to Host Sensory Friendly
Films® This Summer
AMC Entertainment (AMC)
and the Autism Society are excited to offer two
Sensory Friendly Films® in the next two weeks:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince on July
25, and G-Force on August 1.
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, and children
or adults affected by autism may not understand
the social boundaries of movie theatre
etiquette, such as not talking during the film
or sitting still through most of the show.
In order to provide a more accepting and
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. Tickets
can be purchased on the day of the event.
WHEN:
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Saturday, July 25
10 a.m.
G-Force
Saturday, August 1
10 a.m.
WHERE:
A list and map of participating theatres
nationwide is available at
www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms.
This nationwide event has 81 participating
theatres in 46 markets.
WHY:
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.
CONTACT:
Carin Yavorcik, Autism Society Media Specialist
at 301-657-0881 x 115 or cyavorcik@autism-society.org.
|
|
|
