Families of children with special needs are invited to Yelm Cinemas at 9 a.m. Saturday, when the theater will make adjustments for children who have trouble with the lights and sounds of the typical theater experience.
Some children with autism and other sensory issues get overwhelmed with the brightness of a movie screen against the darkness of the movie theater and with the loud movie-theater sound, said Matt Graffagnino, a coordinator with South Sound Parent to Parent.
The management of the independently owned Yelm Cinemas agreed to turn the sound down and keep the house lights on so children who get overwhelmed won’t be bombarded by the lights and noise of a typical movie. And patrons and staff members won’t bat an eye if a child needs to get up and move around or talk.
“It’s going to be sensory-friendly,” Graffagnino said. “This gives moms and dads and kids a chance to enjoy the movies as a family.”
Howard Christian, the operations manager at Yelm Cinemas, said his employees have experience with adjusting for moviegoers with special needs. Another group makes similar arrangements about twice a year, he said.
He said families of children with sensory issues often forgo family movies in the theater because their children could get overwhelmed or upset and disruptive.
“Some of the parents are conscious of bothering other people,” he said. “At this event, we obviously wouldn’t be bothered by that.”
Christian said the employees work with the families at the theater to find the sound and light levels comfortable for the children.
“We want to make this a special event for these folks,” he said.
Elaine Rinker, a family resources coordinator with Parent to Parent, said her family hasn’t been to a movie theater together in years because her 7-year-old daughter, who has autism, gets disruptive.
“She doesn’t have the attention span. She starts talking or acting up,” Rinker said.
Occasions like that are difficult for her 5-year-old son. “It’s hard, because he doesn’t understand why he has to go, because he was enjoying it,” she said.
Rinker said she looks forward to the event because her daughter can get up and walk around if she has to and other parents will understand. Her son will also get the chance to finish watching the Chipmunks.
“This will be the first time we’ve been to the movies as a family,” Rinker said.
The showing will be at Yelm Cinemas, 201 Prairie Park St., Yelm. Tickets will be the $6.25 matinee price.
Venice Buhain: 360-754-5445
vbuhain@theolympian.com
www.theolympian.com/edblog
