What are autism friendly cinema screenings and who can access them?

The first time I took Poppy to the cinema we had to leave shortly after taking our seats. It was too dark and too loud for Poppy and she would not go back in.

We didn’t go to the cinema for a couple of years after that. In fact, her next similar experience was to the planetarium at the National Space Centre. 

There, the ushers really helped with her visit. They let her borrow a torch and hold it until she felt comfortable. Because the show was above and around us, she eventually felt able to leave the torch off and watch the show. 

After that positive experience, I tried taking Poppy to a relaxed screening at Cinema de Lux, where they make accommodations such as leaving the lights on low, the sound turned down and no trailers or advertisements. There is generally a more relaxed environment with the freedom to move around and staff are trained in autism awareness.

This time, Poppy loved the whole encounter.

Most cinemas allow you to bring your own food and drink to relaxed screenings as well, and there’s usually a chill out zone, space permitting.

Anyone can go to these screenings, there is no proof of diagnosis required. Carers are also welcome.

From that point on, there was no holding Poppy back.  She is now happy to go to relaxed and mainstream performances with her CEA Card which means she is able to have her carer go in for free. 

We also go to the ones organised by Menphys, and Poppy always has a great time. 

If you haven’t yet taken your child to the cinema, introducing them to a relaxed performance would be a good place to start. 

Dimensions UK work with ODEON, Cineworld, Vue and Showcase cinemas to screen films in a sensory friendly environment for people of all ages to enjoy the cinema. They compile a list every month of the relaxed cinema screenings in your area.

These are the autism-friendly screenings coming up in October:

Showcase Cinema de Lux: October 1st Toy Story (Disney 100), October 8th Paw Patrol – The Mighty Movie, October 15th Frozen (Disney 100), and October 22nd and 29th Trolls Band Together.

Cineworld: October 1st Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

Odeon: October 15th Paw Patrol.

Picturehouse: Elemental on 19th November.

Check local cinemas too, as they often have relaxed screenings. Phoenix Leicester, for example, is screening a relaxed viewing of Toy Story (Disney 100) on Saturday 30th September.