Sterling Heights

Special screenings attract a new audience

By Cortney Casey
C & G Staff Writer

Sensory Friendly Films cater to families touched by autism

STERLING HEIGHTS — As “Hannah Montana: The Movie” reached its rousing finale, Elena Stevenson, 6, and her brother, Nick, 3, got swept up in the action.

Other moviegoers in the semi-darkened auditorium at the AMC Forum 30 Theatre appeared completely unfazed when the Stevensons rose to their feet, clapping and swaying, as star Miley Cyrus pranced across the screen, belting out an upbeat tune.

The siblings could barely contain their glee as they burst into the lobby afterward. They had just seen their first film in a movie theater.

AMC’s Sensory Friendly Films, a program developed to accommodate autistic viewers, is aiming to make such moments possible for families with special needs children. 

As sensory sensitivities often accompany autism — a neuro-developmental disability that inhibits individuals’ communication and interaction with others — the special screenings feature dim lighting and reduced sound volume.

They also allow attendees freedom to disregard the customary viewing etiquette that demands silence and stillness.

Cindy Huffstickler, community relations manager for Kansas City, Mo.-based AMC Theatres, said the concept originated at the company’s Columbia, Md., location, where a woman approached the manager to suggest accommodations for children with autism.

The woman reportedly told the manager she’d been ejected from “Hairspray” at another theater chain’s facility after her autistic daughter began roaming the auditorium.              

“It was the first time she had tried to take her daughter to a movie,” said Huffstickler.

The story spurred Sensory Friendly Films’ launch in November 2007. According to Huffstickler, more than 300 people showed up at the inaugural screening, prompting the Columbia location to offer the events monthly.

Four months later, after hearing of the Maryland program’s success, the Autism Society of America’s Kansas City chapter contacted AMC’s home office and asked if Sensory Friendly Films could expand to that area, said Huffstickler.

The initiative has since spread to 67 AMC sites in 36 markets, including the Forum 30 in Sterling Heights, the Gratiot 21 in Clinton Township and the Taylor 10 in Taylor. 

The events typically are offered monthly, with the same film shown at all participating theaters at the same date and time, said Huffstickler.

During the special screenings, the volume is lowered to whatever is comfortable for patrons, and lights remain on at the “trailer level,” the low level used during previews, she said.  

With many autistic children on restricted diets, families are permitted to bring their own refreshments. And the kids are welcome to make noise and move around.

“We let our ‘silence is golden’ policy go out the window,” said Huffstickler.

The appeal extends beyond autistic children. Jennifer Stevenson said she’d never even attempted to bring her kids to a movie theater before, knowing Elena, who has Down syndrome, is fearful of three main components of the traditional movie-going experience: darkness, loud noises and crowds.

“I knew between the dark and the sound that she’d never make it,” said the Sterling Heights resident, who noted that even when she takes the children to “Sesame Street Live,” she has to outfit Elena with earplugs and sit in the back. “There’s a lot of things I don’t do with her because of the noise and the people.”

So for the Stevensons, seeing “Hannah Montana” on April 18 marked a major milestone. Elena and Nick appeared dazzled as they emerged from the theater, grinning broadly and gushing about the wonders of the big screen.

“I was so excited,” Jennifer Stevenson said. “It was awesome.”

May Mulla can relate. The Warren resident said Sensory Friendly Films made it possible for her family to have their first shared movie-going excursion.

Armed with their own all-natural, wheat-free snacks, Mulla and her husband took their autistic son, Adam Beauchamp, 8, and his 3-year-old brother to see “Hotel for Dogs” a few weeks ago at the Forum 30.

Beauchamp — who previously refused to go to the theater, fearing the dark and noise — roamed the aisles and sang along with the movie’s opening theme, “but there was no judgment,” she said. “He loved it. The whole thing was a pleasant experience.”

Mulla said it’s an adventure they plan to repeat.

“We, as parents — we have our daily struggles with our children,” she said, “so the fact that somebody considered our needs and our children’s needs is very touching for us.”

In April — National Autism Awareness Month — AMC and ASA announced the crystallization of their previously informal partnership. Besides pledging to continue Sensory Friendly Films, the entities revealed plans for an employment program that will help integrate autistic teens and adults into the theaters’ workforce.

According to the ASA, more than 1.5 million Americans suffer from the effects of autism spectrum disorders.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Cortney Casey at ccasey@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1046.