Autism-Friendly Shows

[ncgator]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 8:24am

While I don't have a personal connection to anyone with autism, as someone who loves theater and likes to see everyone have the opportunity to experience it, I think it's great that these families will have a comfortable place to see these two family-friendly shows.



2 more autism-friendly shows planned for Broadway

[ljay889]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 12:43pm

Amazing!

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 3:02pm

How far do you go and homogenise a show, to make it accessible for all?

I do not like gun shots as they really make me jump and makes me very edgy, if I know there is going to be one, I am not autistic, but I would welcome shows without gunshots!!!

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 4:33pm

Okay, so I'm a heartless Scrooge and all, but if your kid is so extreme that he needs a quiet area with beanbag chairs and coloring books, maybe it would be best not to bring him to the theater in the first place.

As for toning down gun shots and eliminating strobe lights at certain performances, sure, why not?

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 4:52pm

Wow...

[temms]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 6:09pm

You should also remember that the shows are Autism-Caretaker-Friendly as well. They can go and enjoy the show without worrying that their child is disrupting other patrons, because it's an understanding audience.

I think it's fantastic. Anything that expands the audience - and unfortunately, a lot of the people who will see these performances would be disruptive to a general audience (I'm trying to say it as delicately as possible - it's not their fault, but having been in an audience once or twice with an unintentionally vocal person with disabilities it's frustrating for everybody) so it's great to have a day set aside to be accommodating to those particular patrons and make them feel welcome.

I imagine that parents whose children need to take time out to color during a show don't usually take their kids to the theatre, and now they have a chance to. It's not like this will be for every performance.

[lstbutifulgrl2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 6:14pm

I work with someone whose son is Autistic and she took him to the Lion King performance sponsored by this same group.

I think this is wonderful for those families who would normally not take their children to experience live theater. It's not every performance. It's specific performances designed for these children. From what she told me they are given break rooms and quiet areas as well as the opportunity to enjoy the show among others who understand.

Personally, I think it's wonderful.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 6:45pm

I'm sorry, but I still don't understand why it's important to get people who can't sit through a 2-hour show to the theater. And that's true whether the problem is autism or addiction to texting.

I'm NOT opposed to the special performances for the autistic. I'm sure they are well advertised and people can choose to attend on those dates or not.

I guess I'm having trouble seeing the experience through the eyes of the autistic. You're watching something that is too long or too stimulating, so you have to leave and take a break in the middle. And this is a good experience because...?

ChenoKahn can "wow" me all s/he wants, but while I agree with the intent of mainstreaming in principle, sometimes I wonder if we aren't just playing unnecessarily to caretakers' desire to believe their charges are "normal".

That being said, I trust I've made it clear that I am no expert on autism, that I am not even minimally informed.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 6:58pm

Gaveston, just stop. STOP.

And read this. http://adiaryofamom.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/the-harvest-part-two/

(Actually, everyone should.)

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 7:45pm

Gaveston, your ignorance is disgusting. I'm close to someone with autism whose life was changed by theatre. It helped her break out of her own universe and experience our world for the first time. Not that she doesn't still suffer from autism, but she has made enormous strides.



Updated On: 2/8/12 at 07:45 PM

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 7:46pm

This is a wonderful idea and I applaud TDF and Disney for creating these performances.

I'm not claiming to be an expert, far from it, but often times you never know what will connect with children on the autistic spectrum. I have been touring off and on for the past few years with Theatreworks and have seen children from special ed classes become totally enraptured by a show. It can be quite an amazing experience to watch children who during pre show are struggling to maintain focus or an acceptable level of behavior just suddenly stop and enter the world they are seeing on stage.

And thanks for that link, Lizzie. Those are the kinds of stories that make it possible for me to continue waking up at ungodly hours in the morning for all those student matinees I've been doing the past few years, both on the road and in NYC.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 9:11pm

Gaveston, your ignorance is disgusting.

Oh, get over yourself, you sentimental cow! Ignorance is only "disgusting" when it is willful. The fact that I'm actually asking questions here should indicate a willingness to learn to anyone not so busy cloaking himself in his own shallow self-righteousness.

I never said the autistic should be banned from the theater, much less confined to concentration camps. I merely asked whether forcing people who need coloring breaks in beanbag chairs to attend the theater was really helpful. Obviously, the girl described at LizzieCurry's link had a great experience and should be free to do so. (But please note, said child did NOT require a coloring break.)

In a similar vein, one of the highlights of my career was seeing my lyrics signed for the deaf at a choral concert. The signer was very expressive and it was like watching an amazing dance performance.

But I did wonder why deaf people would want to sit and watch a group of people sing for two hours. I did NOT think they should be prevented from doing so and I was grateful the signer was present; I just wondered why it would give the deaf pleasure to watch singing they couldn't hear. (Yes, I realize there are degrees of deafness. Obviously my question concerned the most extreme cases.)

AEA AGMA SM's point that it may not be possible to know in advance whether an autistic person will appreciate theater is well made. If the caretakers are testing a new experience and the quiet room is provided just for those who it turns out can't handle the event, then that makes sense. Somebody could have just said so and saved their "disgust".

[theatreguy]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 9:22pm

Here's an article from the New York Times about the Lion King performance back in October:

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/parents-and-kids-say-they-appreciated-autism-friendly-lion-king-matinee/

[alliez92092]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 9:35pm

Gaveston, I stopped reading everything you said after you referred to people with autism as "the autistic." Yeah I know we're all overly PC, but come on. Having autism is not the only thing that defines these people. Some of the most loving, intelligent, wonderful people I have ever met have autism. Many of these people have to work ten times harder than you or I ever will just to make it through each day and referring to them as "the autistic" is degrading and unnecessary.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 9:46pm

Yes, alliez92092, you are overly PC. In fact, you are ridiculous.

Like every internet forum, this board has plenty of idiotic posts. But this thread is setting some sort of record. There is nothing inherently "degrading and unnecessary" about the phrase "the autistic". It is a matter-of-fact descriptive term without any judgment.

If a convention was held and it was voted that "people with autism" is preferable to "the autistic", I'll be happy to use the approved term. But I can't know what it is until somebody tells me.

The fact you felt required to not only refuse to read my posts, but to lecture me on the fine qualities of people with autism shows you were more interested in demonstrating your own self-annointed moral superiority than in actually providing information.

God help those with mental and emotional disabilities! With friends like theirs...

[alliez92092]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:11pm

I won't lie and say I am aware of a specific article that states that "people with autism" is preferable to "the autistic," but having spent the last 3 years volunteering with children who have autism and participating in multiple trainings, I can tell you that it has become the preferable term. Now perhaps I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions because you may not know this, but this is something near to me so I had a strong reaction. And I have no need to demonstrate my superiority. This is something I care and am passionate about. I should not have used such accusatory tone, but I won't apologize for what I said.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:12pm

But I can't know what it is until somebody tells me.

Someone did tell you. Quit while you're behind.

[Teacup]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:17pm

"Like every internet forum, this board has plenty of idiotic posts. But this thread is setting some sort of record."

Yeah. Cause of you.

[BroadwayFan12]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:18pm

Gaveston, I only hope you won't be as ignorant and heartless if you ever have a loved one with autism or any mental/emotional disorder.

Updated On: 2/8/12 at 10:18 PM

[WickedAwesome]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:22pm

I'm just going to say I've worked with many kids with autism before on many different levels. And yes, some of them would never go to the theater in the first place but for those who can, it's an amazing experience!
I love the theater and it's opened me up to all sorts of things. If they can at least experience it as well I think is pretty amazing.
They probably would never even get the chance considering all complaints they receive.
I think it's a wonderful idea and hey, it's not like it's a whole month or even a week, it's only 2 days. Personally they could do a week and still sell out!
Good for those people, hard at work!

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:23pm

alliez, I think you could have given me the benefit of the doubt. If you had read my posts here, I think you would have found someone who lacks your experience and who didn't know the correct terminology. I never opposed "autism performances" (I don't know what the correct term is); I simply asked an honest (and to me, logical) question about the need for quiet rooms at such performances.

But I do appreciate you telling me that "people with autism" is the preferred term. I shall be sure to use it in the future.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:43pm

Someone did tell you. Quit while you're behind.

Lizzie, you asked me to read a link. I did so and referred to it respectfully in subsequent posts. And still you're snotty to me!

I'm beginning to think that autism itself may be the least worry of people with autism as long as they are surrounded by self-righteous twits who wallow in the disability vicariously as if it were their own personal stash of emotional porn.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:50pm

Back in the late 1970's until the mid 80's I worked with autistic children in a theraputic setting. I often used theatre as a tool, specificallt puppetry. I did take the some of the kids to Broadway Shows, The Wiz and Peter Pan. There are many kids that I knew would not be able to handle it so they remained home.
Those who would need a "time Out" or a "coloring Break" were not he ones who would attend. Granted there were usually 2-3 caretakers to 15 children.

If "The Autistic" is un PC then what about the term "The deaf?"

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:53pm

Gaveston, I only hope you won't be as ignorant and heartless...

I've already confessed to ignorance on this subject, but how heartless?

I said I think it's fine to hold these special performances. I said I think it's fine to tone down gun shots and eliminate strobe lights. Lizzie linked to a blog about a young girl with autism who had a great experience at GODSPELL and I think that's great!

All I asked was about the need for special quiet rooms for coloring and whether it was doing children a kindness to take them to the theater when they find it too long or too stimulating. I fail to see why that is an unreasonable--much less heartless--question. Boiled down, the question is this: if the experience is too unpleasant for some children, is it a kindness to force them to attend? Surely that's a question that SOMEBODY needs to be asking!

What I HAVE done is object to the unbelievable rudeness that greets a simple question on the subject of autism. You people are crazy.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 2/8/12 at 10:58pm

Back in the late 1970's until the mid 80's I worked with autistic children in a theraputic setting. I often used theatre as a tool, specificallt puppetry. I did take the some of the kids to Broadway Shows, The Wiz and Peter Pan. There are many kids that I knew would not be able to handle it so they remained home.
Those who would need a "time Out" or a "coloring Break" were not he ones who would attend. Granted there were usually 2-3 caretakers to 15 children.

If "The Autistic" is un PC then what about the term "The deaf?"

Sorry to repeat your entire post SNAFU, but it says so much better and with so much more authority what I have been trying to say. So generally, the kids who aren't up to a full-length theater experience didn't go.

Makes sense to me. (But for the record, I'm in favor of any group being allowed to "self-name". So if people with autism prefer that term, I will certainly be glad to use it.)