Sensory film showing welcomes autistic kids

Parents of children who deal with Asperger’s and autism face challenges that many people would never imagine.

The simple act of going to the movies is one millions of young people enjoy as part of a family outing.

But an explosive sound system, strange people, loud noises and bright lights followed by a pitch-black movie theater can make for a terrifying experience for some children.

That’s why the Flathead Asperger’s and Autism Families Support Group worked to put on a sensory showing of Disney’s “Incredibles 2” Saturday morning at the Cinemark Theatre in Kalispell.

The group, led by Renae Polensky-Gugler, raised about $1,000 so it could rent the theater for the event.

The sensory showing featured dimmed lighting, as opposed to none, and the volume turned down.

Children were encouraged to move around, fidget, sing along, whatever they felt like doing that they may not have been able to do during a showing for the general public.

“For my son, when he was younger, it was too dark in the theater or too loud, and we’d have to walk outside,” Polensky-Gugler said. “There are so many families who have never been able to sit through an entire movie and when you see the tears of happiness after a sensory showing, you know how important they are.”

The support group hosted its first sensory show two years with another Disney movie, “Finding Dory.”

Polensky-Gugler said it was exciting to be able to show a film that had just been released.

“The kids were really excited knowing they were going to be able to see a new movie that just came out,” she said.

Elizabeth Cummings, a parent of two boys, and who also teaches special education at Flathead High School, told Dr. Angie Wathan what it meant to be able to attend a sensory showing.

“When we started coming to the movies, we could stay for a few minutes before we had to leave. Every time, it got a little longer, but having these special showings really means a lot to families with special needs children,” Cummings said.

Dr. Wathan, who runs the Montana Spine and NeuroDevelopment Center in Kalispell with her husband, Dr. Jesse Wathan, is also active in the community working to treat brain injuries and neurodevelopmental disorders.

“Renae does a great job organizing these events and the support group,” Dr. Wathan said. “The kids struggle with social interaction and even going to the movies can look much different to each child, so having these and getting the kids out where they can socialize while being with family members is very important.”

Polensky-Gugler said the area is fortunate to have a tight-knit group of people who work to make these events happen.

“We are very fortunate to have such a group of moms who will jump in and make it happen,” she said.

Polensky-Gugler also lauded the generosity of area groups who helped financially, including Mikayla’s Blessing and Miracles Foundation, run by Sabrina Wisher, the Montana Spine and NeuroDevelopment Center and Sara Hammel’s lularoe fundraiser.

“We received $600 from Mikalay’s Blessing, which makes it so nice to have that kind of contribution. Fundraising is never easy, but we’re fortunate to have some very generous people in the valley,” Polensky-Gugler said.

She said there are plans to have another showing in the fall. More information will be announced as it becomes known. For more information on the support group, see its Facebook page at Flathead Aspergers and Autism Families.