Watching a movie in a theater is designed to be a fun escape, but for many families with special needs children the experience can be the opposite.
That’s why Emagine Theaters in Novi and Centria Health Care have teamed up to set aside theaters on the first and third Saturdays of the month for the families of special needs children, particularly those with autism.
Talking during the show or getting up and walking around isn’t frowned upon. The theater’s sound is adjusted lower and the room isn’t as dark. About 70 families came Saturday morning to see “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
This is the third movie that Emagine and Centria, a Novi-based company that offers autism services, have partnered on to offer to special needs kids and their families.
Emagine staff members have been educated about autism and behavior specialists from Centria attend the movie as well to assist parents if needed.
The next shows are “Norm of the North” on Jan. 16 and “Kung Fu Panda” on Feb. 6. Both are at 10:30 a.m. For more information visit autismfriendlymovies.com
Christine MacDonald, The Detroit News 2:24 p.m. EST January 2, 2016
To read the entire article, click here.