In a world...
Cineplex Entertainment will begin screening movies for people with
autism spectrum disorder.
The Canadian movie theatre company says its Sensory Friendly Screenings will include 2D projection, increased auditorium lighting, lower volume and smaller crowds.
Theatres will also allow families to bring in outside food and take a break from screenings in a nearby "calm zone."
The program begins tomorrow, Valentine's day, with
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water. You can find out more about the films, screening times, and locations (all in Canada)
here. My mother worked for a little while with autistic children when I was younger and I can't tell you how cool an idea this is. Things have gotten better over the years but taking groups of children on the autism spectrum (which has a very wide range) could be incredibly limiting. Hopefully, this will be successful enough to get movie theaters in the U.S. to jump on board.