As I have stated in earlier posts, we have learned to do a lot of things in our family in pairs. Zach and Brent do an activity while Sam and I do another activity. This, mostly because we want to respect Sam's needs and how he will handle certain situations. We have learned that there are some things that we won't try to do as a family because it would be too much for him and one of us would end up leaving with him.
However...family time is so important for us, that we have forced Sam to like a couple areas that the rest of us love, for the sake of doing it as a family. One thing we do "as family" is make sure we hit every family feature film as soon as it comes out. Sam has learned how to handle the previews. He covers his ears and then has me put my hands over his for extra support. The next time you go to the movies, check it out...the previews really are louder than the movie.
This past weekend we hit the theatres, with me convincing the men in my family that "The Last Mimzy" was a better choice than "TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)". Uggg, being the mother of boys. Well my charm won all three of my boys over, and I got my way (or did I?).
This is a warning to all parents of autistic little ones. "The Last Mimzy" is not autism friendly. Sam and I had to leave a little before halfway through. For our little ones that deal with a lot of sensory issues, this movie has them. There are lots of flashing lights, blue and white to be specific. Along with the flashing lights of Mimzy's gear comes a high pitched hum whenever the Mimzy stuff communicates (which is a lot). It was just too much for Sam. So, instead of just rating this movie PG, it should also be rated S.O. for sensory overload!
On a side note. I didn't want to leave. I had loved the movie up to that point, and it also received high reviews from Zach and Brent, so on a personal note, I would still recommend this movie (just not for our little ones who already have sensory issues).
A Twist of Faith
Sometimes we learn through trial and error. I don't believe that it is error in having Sam learn to enjoy the things we like as a family at times, as he is part of our family. God created us to be together as a family. Just as we are learning about his world, he too is always learning about ours. What was an error was us not really checking out the reviews for that type of setting.
Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
-Hebrews 10:24-25 (NRSV)
7 comments:
Thanks for popping over to say hi and welcome! I have really enjoyed reading a bit of your blog this evening. I look forward to learning more about you, your little guy, and your family experiences. I love the Twist of Faith section!
Thanks for letting me know that about the movie, I am sure that Griffin would NOT like it.
Hi there:)
I have never taken K.C. to a movie but hoping to try someday soon. The noise would probably be a huge factor with him as well as sometimes the tv hurts his ears as at home.
Big Brother wants to see TMNT. So far he has collected the little toys from McDonalds.
I love the idea of having a family night at the movies!! Gosh I want to be able to do that with K.C. and Big Brother as well someday.
Your Sam is such a little trooper! So inspiring!
I have also never taken my six year who is profoundly autistic to the cinema but would love it but I know she would not be too keen on the volume. We have been to the Theatre though and seen The Tweenies and Winnie the Pooh in stage shows and she loved those. I intend to take her to an outdoor Shakespeare production of A Midsummer Nights Dream as she loves the story on the BBC children's website.I feel inspired by you to go out and do more with my daughter. Thanks.
Earplugs!
This is one thing we used with Buddy Boy in the past when we did things that were loud (like the circus and 4th of July fireworks-do they celebrate dumping the upstart colony on the 4th of July in the UK?). When Buddy Boy was little (long before we knew why he was so sensitive to sounds) we would put closed ear headphones over his ears (one could also use the type of over ear protectors that they use on the flightline at airports. Just put them in a bag and take them out when the lights go down.
Though Buddy Boy dislikes loud noises, he doesn't usually need earplugs in a movie. I think sometimes when it's something he really likes, it either doesn't bother him (because he's so focused on it?) or he tolerates it even though it bothers him.
Lora and Tina~ I would try Club166 idea with the earplugs and slowly break them in. We are always trying to push Sam a little bit more with each adventure in life. I would love for you to enjoy a movie with your little ones someday.
Mother of Many~ How exciting to take your little one to shows. Sam enjoys shows with music. He loves music. Shakespear sounds exciting.
Club166~ Great idea. Sam has a light headset he has found on his own that he uses around the house to help with noise, never thought about bringing it along, duh! Earplugs, sadly we always have those in the car for big brother, as we went a couple years with rides full of screams from Sam when he was so sensitive to every noise and the light. Brother should pass them on, as Sam is a trooper in the car now thanks to a couple years of OT and sensory therapy's.
Patrick has been to one movie. To get out of there he purposely vomitted all over his father. But that was quite a while ago and we're considering another trip. He doesn't have issues with loud noises but I'm sure the sights and smells in there were tough for him. We're keeping our eyes open for a good movie to try again. Yeah, I nixed "The Last Mimzy" after watching a preview.
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