AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis. Sensory Friendly Films® premiered across the country in August 2008, and will continue this month with a showing of “The Princess and the Frog” at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12.

In the Redmond area, a participating theatre is the AMC Woodinville 12, 17640 Garden Way NE in downtown Woodinville. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased on the day of the event.

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disability that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It often comes with sensory challenges, such as hypersensitivity to light or sound, and children or adults affected by autism may not understand the social boundaries of movie theatre etiquette, such as not talking during the film or sitting still through most of the show.

In order to provide a more accepting and comfortable setting for children with autism or other special needs, AMC movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up and the sound turned down, families will be able to bring in their own gluten-free, casein-free snacks, and no previews or advertisements will be shown before the movie. Additionally, audience members are welcome to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced unless the safety of the audience is questioned. A list and map of participating theatres is available at www.autism-society.org/sensoryfilms. This nationwide event has 87 participating theatres in 46 markets.