kicked out of movie theater cuz son is autistic! - Autism Spectrum Message Board

rcjrudisil · 05-30-2005, 08:35 PM

WEll I tried to take my 5 year old daughter and three year old autistic son to the movie Madagascar yesterday afternoon to the Matinee! The movie hadn't started yet so we were watching the previews...my son was crying cuz he is like that till the movie starts cuz he is not comfortable in social situations and the previews weren't exactly cartoon ones. A lady behind me leans forward and says "If he is gonna keep this up you need to move to the back or leave because we paid for this movie and we want to watch it" (as if I didn't pay too) Anyways I turned to her and said "He will calm down once the movie starts and if he doesn't then yes I will leave" Well this answer wasn't good enough for her so she got up and went and got the manager! The manager came up to me and said Ma'am you need to move to the back of the theater (by the way there were no empty seats as it was opening weekend) I replied with "he is autistic and will calm down once the movie starts" He then said to me "I don't care what he is move now" I got a little angry at that and said "I will move if you could please find me some empty seats back their (my mom, sister, and daughter were with us too by the way) He said "I don't have to find you seats now move or leave NOW! or I am calling the police" I just sat there trying to figure out what to do and the entire time the lady behind me was freaking out saying I had better leave and yada yada yada....anyways my son continued crying sensing I was upset so we got up and left...on the way out I saw the cops were there already but the manager told them nevermind since I was leaving anyways....Anyways the point to my story is I am furious as you can imagine because they wouldn't kick someone out for being in a wheel chair or with an "obvious" disability...a handicap is a handicap and it is wrong to throw a three year old with a handicap out of a kid movie while there were tons of other babies/children crying in the theater too! My husband (he is military) is calling and informing his commander of the situation in the morning...I have filed complaints with the Better Business Bureau, city chamber of commerce...and told my story to our local news channel...and they say it will be an interesting story to air due to the discrimination issue. This is 2005 and it is crazy I was asked to move to the back of a theater! I am still fuming over this and will not drop the ball...Autism needs more recognition! Anyways I am sharing my story with everyone I can...let me know if you all think I am just overreacting

heartcreature · 05-30-2005, 09:49 PM

It sounds like you are handling it very well. I know in military communities they sometimes will cause certain businesses to be off limits to soldiers. I'm sure that would cut in to their profits. You might even want to consult an attorney due to the discrimination. It seems like they went a little overboard calling the police. Good luck!

Natasha2316 · 05-31-2005, 01:26 AM

I just noticed the title on the main screen and had to read this. I think it is horrible that the woman would be so selfish and childish about it, you responded in a very well manner and I can only imagine how hard it is to have an autistic child without having people like her around. As for the manager it is ridiculous that he would say "I don't care what he is" like he doesn't know or understand that he can't help it. I really hope that you get justice out of this because it is insane to be asked to move or leave after you have explained that he would calm down after it got started.
Good Luck

thepenster060 · 05-31-2005, 04:54 AM

My girlfriends daughter is autistic, and i also have a cousin whom is autistic, so i feel for you. It is a very fusturating medical condition to deal with , i know. Please don't take this the wrong way, but maybe next time you decide to go to the movies, either go in right before the movie, and or wait a few weeks to go so that the theater will be less crowded. i do agree they treated the situation a little too hard, but on the other hand, here are other people in the theater who were there to enjoy the movie as well. You know your child the best, so if he gets upset sitting there through the previews (which you know he does) i think it's best to wait a few weeks after the movie has played out, or also like i said, wait to go in just before the movie starts. Also please don't take this the wrong way either, but you would be no better no better by exposing the whole situation to the news...etc....etc....I am sure if you talk to some higher ups the the movie theater, i am sure you would get some free movie tickets or something........good luck with your son. keep up with his programs...

bjm32 · 05-31-2005, 10:18 AM

I think this is OUTRAGEOUS and really IRKS me. I have a son who's 12 and severely autistic. I have taken him to the movies, he does ok, depending on his day, mood, surroundings, etc.. If it was the first showing of the movie of course that would upset him but you know what, so? Like you kept trying to say, he would calm down when the movie started. Plus it wasn't like you were there with just him you wanted to take your daughter too. That's not fair to her. It doesn't matter when the movie is you can take your son anywhere you please. How dare that woman tell you what to do with your child especially after you told her his dx. What an ignorant person. SHE should have moved. It's a kid's movie. There are always babies crying because parents have to take them so they can take their older children, I've never seen someone asked to leave because of that. Or what about the other kids who have obvious behavioral issues and run around the theater, or won't be quiet. It's a kid's movie and you should expect things to be a little chaotic, especially during the first showing. I'm sorry this happened and I say do everything you can to share this. Don't let the movie theater get away with you having to leave, give them bad press. Hopefully that woman will see it and gain a little understanding. I once heard about a woman who had these "business cards" that she would pass out when people would stare at her son when he was having a bad time or just stimming.. They said, "I noticed you staring at my son's bad behavior, he has Autism, what's your excuse?" Sorry this is so long but this really strikes a nerve with me, I wish I knew what theater it was so I could write them a letter sharing my feelings about what happened. It sounds like you are doing all that. Be outraged! I totally don't think you are overreacting.. ~Bunny