Autism Society and AMC Entertainment® to Host Sensory Friendly Films® This January

1/4/09 AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. Sensory Friendly Films® premiered across the country in August 2008, and will continue this month with a showing of Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel on January 9.

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It often comes with sensory challenges, such as hypersensitivity to light or sound, and children or adults affected by autism may not understand the social boundaries of movie theatre etiquette, such as not talking during the film or sitting still through most of the show.

In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for children with autism or other special needs, AMC movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing - in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event.

Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel
Saturday, January 9
10 a.m.

AMC Discover Mills 18, 5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Ste. 415, Lawrenceville, Ga. 30043
AMC Phipps Plaza 14, 3500 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, Ga. 30326
AMC Southlake 24, 7065 Mount Zion Cir., Morrow, Ga. 30260

A list and map of participating theatres is available at www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms. This nationwide event has 87 participating theatres in 46 markets.

An estimated 30 million people in the world have an autism spectrum disorder, 1.5 million in America alone. Every day in America, 67 families learn their child has autism. These families face challenges of care, support, education, financial hardship and medical and health care issues that make autism a national public health issue, costing the U.S. economy $60 billion a year. Though there is no cure, autism is treatable and individuals with autism have tremendous potential.

ABOUT THE AUTISM SOCIETY:
The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. For more information, visit www.autism-society.org.

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