Fri, Nov 27 2009
|
|
Published October 22, 2009 06:20 pm - The forecast carries a chance of meatballs raining from the sky. But there’s also a strong chance that parents of children with autism will be able to find an excellent environment for their family to enjoy a movie together. Sensory friendly: Theater offers special screening for local children with autism By Scott Meeker
smeeker@joplinglobe.com WEBB CITY, Mo. — The forecast carries a chance of meatballs raining from the sky. But there’s also a strong chance that parents of children with autism will be able to find an excellent environment for their family to enjoy a movie together. At 4 p.m. Saturday, a special showing of “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” will be offered at the Route 66 Movie Theater, 24 S. Main St. Lisa Daugherty, the theater’s general manager, said she was approached with the idea by the mother of a child with autism. “She had been to my theater before and had heard about (a similar program) and asked if I would be interested, and I said yes,” she said. The event at the Webb City theater is modeled on the “Sensory Friendly Films” program offered by AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society. During the movie, lights will be brought up and the film’s sound will be turned down a bit. “The loud noise (in a movie theater) can be overwhelming,” said Jennifer Long, clinical director for the Ozark Center for Autism in Joplin. “A sudden noise can be off-putting for them — a situation that starts off some fear, a tantrum or outburst.” Having the lights up can help to “even the playing field” for children with autism, Long said. “In general, a dark place with lots of people isn’t a place where the kids are used to being,” she said. “It could be overwhelming or scary for some kids.” Families will also have the option of bringing their own gluten-free snacks to eat rather than the traditional popcorn and candy (which will still be available at the concession stand). “Some kids are extremely picky eaters and some are on special diets,” Long said. “Both of those things can make it hard for some kids to eat out. The fact that (the theater) is allowing families to bring their own food is significant.” Daugherty said that she’s hopeful that the event will be a success and can continue. She said that she is considering a screening of “Where the Wild Things Are” for the next one. Long said she would also like to see it continue, as it provides “a level of acceptance” for families who might have trouble finding it elsewhere. “It’s such a great idea,” she said. “I spoke with one parent who said that it will be the first movie her son has ever attended, and he’s 7. The uncertainty was too much for his family to take that chance. 
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
More from the Enjoy section
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
Watch the day's top entertainment stories unfold 
Branson producers think Broadway's Peter Pan is good fit w/ Peter Pan video & Cathy Rigby interview audio
 |
 |
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
 |
|
|
Published by Newspaper Holding, Inc. 117 East Fourth Street, Joplin, MO 64801 Using our site is your agreement to the terms and conditions. News: news@joplinglobe.com • (417)623-3480 Advertise with the Joplin Globe Copyright © 2006 The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO All rights reserved. 
|
Popular Business directory links - Joplin Apartments | Joplin Attorneys | Joplin Auto Dealers | Joplin Auto Parts | Joplin Auto Repair | Joplin Beauty Salons | Joplin Car Rental | Joplin Dentists | Joplin Doctors | Joplin Flowers | Joplin Hotels | Joplin Insurance | Joplin Loans | Joplin Mortgages | Joplin Movers | Joplin Pizza | Joplin Realtors | Joplin Restaurants | Joplin Storage | Joplin Tax Preparation | Joplin Travel | Joplin Featured | More...
|
|
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. • CNHI Classified Advertising Network • CNHI News Service |
