VERO BEACH — Something special happens the third Saturday of every month at Vero Beach’s AMC Theatre. Kids are invited to “get up and dance, walk, shout or sing” during the movie. That’s the pitch for the theater’s “Sensory Friendly Films,” special showings for families affected by autism, a complex developmental disability that touches one in 88 children in the U.S.
Autistic kids often find regular movie- showings too stimulating, so AMC, in partnership with the national Autism Society, has tailor-made these monthly presentations, turning them into real-life experiences that autistic kids and their families can enjoy.
In “Sensory Friendly Films” the house lights are left on, the sound is down, and audience members can move around.
That was the scene at last Saturday’s showing of “Ice Age” where more than 50 people, including many small children, were in attendance.
For Jennifer Wright and her son, Liam, 7, the special accommodations make all the difference.
“Liam is afraid to go into a regular movie,” said Wright. “It’s too loud and too dark.”
Liam has Asperger’s syndrome, a disability similar to autism but less severe.
Rebecca Lucas Everett, founder and director of Puzzled Families, a local support group for families affected by autism and similar disorders, knows how important an accepting environment can be.
As the mother of a son with Asperger’s Syndrome, Everett appreciates what AMC is doing.
“‘Sensory Friendly Films’ are excellent for kids who can’t attend regular movies,” said Everett.
Everett’s son Bryce, 11, a sixth grader at Imagine School at South Vero, is comfortable watching most movies in a regular theater-environment.
An avid reader and Lego aficionado, Bryce makes straight A’s in school.
“Last year, his teacher called him a ‘math genius’,” said Everett.
Bryce was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in third grade. Since then, Everett has educated herself about the disorder.
In June 2011, she founded Puzzled Families of Indian River County.
On Puzzled Families Facebook page, Everett wrote, “Since my son was diagnosed with Asperger’s, I have had such a hard time finding local support and resources. I’m hoping to change that for other families.”
