Theater offers autism friendly movies

Austin (KXAN) - You know the deal at the movie theater: when the lights go down, you have to be quiet, meanwhile the previews and the movie get pretty loud.

That's a tough environment for a child with autism.  The seat-shaking volume of theater sound systems can frighten an autistic child.  Sitting still and being quiet can also be a challenge.

Those challenges mean a lot of parents with autistic kids just skip movies in the theater.  But that's changing.

Last year, the Autism Society of America teamed up with AMC Theaters to create what they call   "Sensory Friendly Films."   Once a month on a Saturday morning, theaters in select cities around the country dedicate one screen to the program.  They keep the lights up, the sound down, and they let the audience talk.

AMC Barton Creek in Austin was one of the first places in the nation to try Sensory Friendly Films.  It started one year ago this month.

It's changing the movie theater experience for kids and their parents.

Sam Williams' adult son Scott  has autism.  They tried going to the movies before the program, but the experience was not enjoyable. 

"The loud noises bothered him, and it was sort of touch-and-go as far as going to the movie,"  Williams said.  "Once they did this program, he bought into the moviegoing and we do it."

The autism-friendly showings happen about once a month.  The next one is on August 7.  They've been growing in popularity as the word gets out. 

Theater managers at AMC Barton Creek said they had their first sell-out last month for a showing of Toy Story 3.   They dedicated two theaters to Saturday morning's showing of "Dispicable Me."