Sensory Friendly Movie Set

Sensory Firendly Movie
Official Logo

Due to the success of the first Sensory-Friendly Movie (SfM) showing last September 25 at the Block, SM North EDSA and SM City Davao last December 2009.

SM Programs on Disability Affairs (SM-PDA) in partnership with Autism Society Philippines will be having another Sensory-Friendly Movie (SfM) showing on November 20 Saturday at 9AM at SM Cinema of The Block, SM North EDSA.

Children with autism (CWA) can watch the cartoon movie “Despicable Me” for free while their caregivers/yayas will be paying the regular ticket of the cinema.

ASP is inviting 50 CWA whose parents are members of ASP to view the movie for free. This will be on a first come first serve basis. So what are you waiting for, dial 7-903-5496 to register your child or sibling with autism.

This project was inspired by a similar project of Autism Society of America, SfM will give persons with autism and their families/caregivers the opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment.

Persons with autism experience the world differently. Their senses don’t process information in the same way so that they may have unique sensory (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching) experiences in a different manner.

To provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for our special audience, SM Cinema 3 will be

o Bringing up the lights

o Turning down sound volume

o Allowing families/students to bring in their own snacks

o Eliminating movie previews and advertisements

o Welcoming audience members to get up, dance, walk, shout, sing, go in and out of the cinema (as long as safety of audience is not threatened).

o Supporting desensitization program of special schools in training their students to acquire socially-appropriate behaviors inside movie houses

“SM Cinemas are already accessible to other PWDs. Now, Sensory-Friendly Movies (SfM) will allow families to bring their loved ones with autism inside movie houses, without worries“ said SM-PDA Chairman, Eng. Bien Mateo.

We hope that other movie houses will follow SM cinemas’ example of embracing persons with autism thru the SfM!!!