A real family friendly movie!

For a child that has severe autism the world can be a scary place. Imagine what it would be like trying to go to the movies. A strange place with new sights and smells. Darkness followed by the loud movie soundtrack. Even if the child isn't bothered by those things, and they enjoy the movie, excitement and happiness is often expressed by loud laughter, screams, jumping around or flapping hand movements. That generally doesn't make for a fun family movie visit.

Now, thanks to AMC movie theatres that has changed, according to this article at Time.com. In 2007Marianne Ross of Elkridge, MD, was asked to leave a movie theatre because her daughter displayed symptoms similar to those mentioned above. Not satisfied with believe that her child would not be able to enjoy a movie theater experience, Mrs. Ross contacted the manager of her local AMC theatre. Dan Harris (the manager) took the time to speak to Mrs. Ross and meet her daughter. Once he knew the situation he was willing to try an experiment. He offered a unique "Sensory Friendly" viewing of a movie to see how things would turn out. Marianne Spread word through her Autism support group and they filled the 300 seat theatre to capacity. Ross and Harris tried this several more times, each with the same results. Mr. Harris decided to contact the public relations department of the AMC corporate headquarters. Again, the "experiment" was conducted and was a success.

So, now in major cities (see here for a map of participating theaters) on April 10, 2010, thousands of children with Autism will be able to view a special screening of "How to Train Your Dragon" in a "Sensory Friendly" setting. This means that the movie will start promptly on time (10:00 AM) with no previews, the lights will be dim but on, and the sound will be turned down. If the children need to get up and walk around or move, it will be just fine. Finally, any families with special dietary needs will be able to bring snacks in from home. These are HUGE things in the world of Autism. As explained above, the darkness can be frightening and so can the loud noises. Some children with Autism can become agitated if things don't happen in a specific way, thus the starting promptly on time. And a large number of families living with a loved one that has an Autism Spectrum Disorder, are now eating foods that are gluten and casein (a protein found in milk) free. That eliminates a majority of theatre fare. But now, the kids with special diets can enjoy their "safe" snacks along with the other movie-goers.

April is Autism Awareness month, and with the estimates of every 1 in 110 children in America have some form of Autism, the "Sensory-Friendly" movies couldn't come at a better time.

Bye bye birdie

So, as usual I am writing about one of my kids. I think that if nothing else blogging has been very therapeutic for me. I have a theory. Wanna know what it is? I think that God, in His infinite wisdom, made teenagers cranky and smelly for the same reason that a lot of the mothers of teenagers are peri or pre menopausal and the dad's of teens are hitting their mid-life crisis. It is time for them to leave the nest, and this makes it easier, not getting along. Seriously.
I love all three of my children. I have homeschooled them for the last 9 years, and I am around my kids for the majority of my week. I am single, I don't date and I don't belong to any groups or organizations that take me away from the children. This is partially due to choice and partially due to finances. All that to say that I am around them a LOT! By choice. I have had to the joy of watching them grow and develop into independent, thoughtful young adults. Well, one of them is a young adult, and the other one is literally days away from "adulthood".
Last January when it was time for my first baby birdie to leave the nest, I had to almost push her out the door. She knew it was time to move into the dorms and go to college. But she was still scared. Now, my next baby birdie in the line-up is trying to jump out too soon. He believes he is ready to go out and live on his own and escape my "tyrannical rule". He has no money, job or even a drivers license, but he thinks he is ready. I am not sure if this is typical behavior for a 17 (almost 18) year old young man or if it the bipolar rearing its ugly head yet again, but he has now taken to sneaking food that contains ingredients that he is allergic to, lying to me and taking my things. It is not pretty around here right now.
When I confront him on his behavior, the lies and stealing, he swears up and down that he isn't doing whatever it is that I know he is. He is either an incredible liar or he really believes what he is saying. And if it looks to him like I am not buying what he is saying, he will try another tactic. He reminds me of one of those people that put together puzzles all the time. They pick up a piece and try one way to get it to fit. If it doesn't work, they will try again and again, slightly turning the piece or moving to another place. The excuses that come from my child's mouth are like that. If this excuse doesn't convince mom, then let's try to tweak it here and see if that works. I want to ask him if I look stupid or what, but I am afraid of his answer. I am hoping that this is just another phase and if I keep the boundaries firm, he will eventually grow out of it. I worry for his future if not.