For families with neurodivergent children whose brains function in atypical ways, everyday experiences that many take for granted — such as going to the movies or attending a concert — can be difficult or sometimes even impossible due to an autistic child’s needs or behaviors (like making noise or not being able to stay in areas for long stretches of time). My family and I know this firsthand, as my younger brother is on the autism spectrum and has limitations on how long he can stay still at public events.
This is why I founded ‘Sounds, Voices and Rhythms for Autistic Minds,’ a nonprofit organization with a mission to create inclusive, sensory-friendly entertainment experiences for neurodivergent children and their families. Specifically, we focus on the role of music — something that has been shown to be very beneficial for autistic individuals.
The organization began with a simple idea. What if we could offer families with neurodivergent children a chance to enjoy a movie together without worrying that they would disrupt others or be judged by the public?
In June, we held our first movie screening designed for these purposes, showing “Lilo & Stitch.” The event was a big success, not only because of the great feedback we received from the dozen families who attended, but because, for many of these children, it was their first time in a movie theater. The response from families who attended the movie screening so far has been deeply touching, with many saying they finally feel seen and welcomed…