'Sensory-friendly' films offered

At this particular matinee showing, not only will the film be "Up," the lights will be up, as well.

The sound will be lowered, though still perfectly audible.

Children may occasionally leave their seats, or react to the action on screen.

And everybody will have a good time.

The "sensory-friendly" films sponsored by the Autism Society of Nebraska and AMC Theatres offer current films in a special environment to accommodate families with special needs. Saturday, the Autism Society and Oak View 24 will co-host a 10 a.m. showing of the children's film "Up."

Carol Salber said her children are very excited about the showing of the children's film, which is on track to be among the summer's most popular. Her 11-year-old son, Dalton, is autistic.

"Anyone with autism, regardless of the age, has a lot of sensory issues," Salber said. "So many time, their senses can be very acute and pick up on a lot of things."

Dalton is very sound-sensitive, she said.

"So if you can imagine going into any movie theater . . . most of us, with regular hearing and (without) any sensory issues, can get bombarded by the movie," Salber said. "So having the sound turned down a little bit can help kids like my son tolerate it a little better and not send them off the deep end."

Having the lights up makes the situation a little less scary as well, Salber said. "If they have to get up and go to the bathroom, or just get up and move around because they need that sensory input of movement, they can see where they're going. So it helps a lot with the sensory issues."

The special screenings also provide an understanding audience, Salber said. It's a relief "to be able to go to a movie and know people aren't going to be shooting you dirty looks or shushing you, or even blatantly telling you ‘Keep your kid quiet,' or ‘Sit down!' or ‘You're in my way,'" she said.

At a recent screening of "Night at the Museum 2," a small boy climbed the back of an unoccupied theater seat, then walked the stairway up the stadium seating, his father hovering at his side. The rest of the audience took the antics in stride.

"You've got a bunch of other people who know what you're going through and are understanding," Salber said.

The films aren't only for families of children with autism, Salber said. Other families whose children may benefit from a sensory-friendly atmosphere and a relaxed crowd are welcome.

Shawn Neff, president of the Austism Society of Nebraska, said that the success she's had taking her son to sensory friendly films may lead her to try bringing him to a regular showing.

"Our first movies were so intimidating, as he was afraid of the dark theater and bothered by the bursts of noise throughout the previews," Neff said. "But now, after attending several sensory friendly shows he is excited to go to the movie and actually makes it through the entire movie in his seat. Of course, we still have to work on not talking or narrating the movie, but he is getting there."

Salber has seen changes in Dalton, as well.

"Each time we've gone, he's done little bit better each time at staying through the whole movie, paying attention, being more engaged," she said. "So it's been a real good thing for him."

While the theater usually picks kiddie-friendly films such as "Up," showing have been held of films aimed at older children, such as "Night at the Museum 2" and "The Hannah Montana Movie."

Salber praised AMC for its work with the Autism Society of America on the showings.

"I think they're really invested in making this a good thing in a lot of different ways,' she said.

"Up" will be shown at 10 a.m. Saturday at AMC Oak View 24, 3555 S. 140th Plaza. Admission is $5.