Autism children enjoy film

Things seemed a little different at a showing of the new family film “Astro Boy” last Saturday at Kerasotes Theater.

The film was a part of the monthly showings made possible by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism.

The lights remained on and the sound was turned down low. One child talked to his parents loudly without being hushed. Another got up from his seat and walked back and forth at the back of the theater without anyone saying a word.

The screening was a “sensory-friendly” film event. It was designed to allow families affected by autism and other disabilities an opportunity to enjoy films in an accepting environment.

The center is one of seven operated through the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community.

The institute and IRCA cover a wide range of information and services, but Joel Fosha, manager of marketing and public relations, described their mission through a basic premise.

“Our main goal is just being responsive – responsive to the needs of the state of Indiana and Hoosiers,” Fosha said.

One way the center maintains this receptiveness is through projects like the Students on the Spectrum club.

The group offers a chance for students who live with any autism spectrum disorder to share their experiences with each other and the University.

It also provides ways for students to find other support within the school and the community.

The topics for each gathering are decided at the first meeting of the semester and include dealing with anxiety, communication and social skills.

“It is designed to be a comfortable and safe environment,” the club’s advisor, Marci Wheel, said.

IRCA also offers an extensive library available free of cost to anyone in the state, numerous guest speaker presentations and a tri-yearly newsletter.

In addition, the center engages in research, as well as outreach training and consultation.

“We get information out about autism and find new ways to support families and people that are working with families,” Pam Anderson, the center’s research and outreach specialist said. “That’s kind of our mission. It’s a lot of work, but it also offers a lot of rewards.

“To be able to watch those families and their children with autism on Saturday sit down in a typical theater, some of them for the first time, with a bag of popcorn and a soda in a very accepting environment, was just beyond belief.”