One of the more popular movie series in our borough is Big Movies for Little Kids where parents and their little ones can catch a movie without the constraints of regular theater requirements. In other words: talking to the movie screen and jumping in your seat and other theater transgressions are not only accepted, they are expected.
Now there is a new series debuting next week which hopes to catch a whole new group of parents and their kids with this same relaxed set of rules: Spectrum.
This series of movies and live performances are tailored to the needs of autistic children. The founder of the series has an autistic son and knows what his child and others mostly need is an environment where talking, vocal outbursts and the need to get up and move are respected. He has arranged for the SoHo Gallery for Digital Art to donate its screening facilities on Saturday afternoons to this project.
Details: Movies and shows for kids on the autism spectrum at The SoHo Gallery for Digital Art, 138 Sullivan St. New York, NY 10012, 212 228-2810
Schedule:
Saturday, March 26 2pm HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON;
Saturday April 23rd, 2pm WALL-E;
Saturday, May 21st: BUSTER KEATON: THE GENERAL;
Saturday, June 25th, 2pm: LOONEY TOONS: BACK IN ACTION.
There are some rules and costs:
1) This is a 1:1 environment. Each Autistic child must be accompanied by their own parent, guardian or therapist who is fully responsible for them and their safety.
2) If you do not have a therapist to accompany your child, we can provide you with a list of qualified professionals, but you must work out the financial and other details with them directly as we are merely listing them, not screening them.
3) Non-autistic siblings can attend along with their Spectrum brother or sister, but the parent, guardian or therapist must be responsible for their behavior too.
4) The suggested donation is $5.00 per person, adults and children. The donations go to keeping this program going. If the 5 dollars is truly a hardship, let us know.
For more information, go here.