AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the “Sensory Friendly Films” program.

The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced.   There will be no previews before the film so plan to arrive early as the movie will start at 10am.   AMC is also being very generous and letting our families bring in their own GFCF snacks.   Regular concessions are also available to purchase. 

Learn more about AMC’s Sensory Friendly movies HERE.

Saturday, August 7th   showing of      

Dogs and Cats:  The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza - Omaha
10am

Council Bluffs AMC Star 17 Theater
3220 23rd Avenue - Council Bluffs
10am

See the flyer HERE.

AMC Entertainment and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the “Sensory Friendly Films” program.

The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced.   There will be no previews before the film so plan to arrive early as the movie will start at 10am!   AMC is also being very generous and letting our families bring in their own GFCF snacks. Regular concessions are also available to purchase.

Toy Story 3

Saturday, June 26 
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person

Save the Date for The Despicable Me on Saturday July 17th, Cats & Dogs2 on August 7th.

_____

NEW:  Marcus Theaters have also recognized the need and they are also rising to the challenge!

They have created their Reel Movies for Real Needs Program where they have created sensory friendly showings!  Check out their web site for current information here.

                    Toy Story 3

Saturday, June 26 
10:30 am

Lincoln Grand Cinema                             Village Pointe  Cinema
304 North 174th Street                            1101 P St
Omaha, NE  68118                                   Lincoln, NE

                    
Save the Date for Ramona and Beezus on Saturday July 24th and Nanny McPhee Returns on August 21st.

______

The Autism Society of Nebraska has developed a toolkit to help you approach your local theater about creating sensory friendly showings in your community!  Contact us at autismsociety@autismnebraska.org to find out more information about how to create sensory friendly showings in your community!

AUTISM PUZZLE WALK

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Chalco Hills Recreation Area
154th & Giles Road
Omaha

GET REGISTERED ONLINE TODAY!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

GET YOUR PARTICIPANT GUIDE HERE

CAN’T COME? SIGN UP AS A VIRTUAL WALKER!

 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DOWNLOAD A WALK BROCHURE HERE

We are excited to announce our media sponsor 101.9 The Big O and Shari Stone will be on air live from the Autism Puzzle Walk!

Thank you to our silver sponsors…    

And our bronze sponsors….

And our Friends of Autism…

The Omaha Down Syndrome Parents Network and the Autism Action Partnership are partnering to bring the Lose the Training Wheels Bike Camp to Omaha the week of June 7-11, 2010 at Brookside Church.  Please email  rsvp@odspn.org by Monday, April 19 if you are interested in having your child attend. Bike camp is limited to 40 participants so don’t hesitate!  Participant requirements are listed in detail on the event flyer here.

http://www.autism-society.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=15877&news_iv_ctrl=1882

How far would you travel to heal someone you love? For one Texas couple, it means a spiritual journey halfway around the world to Mongolia. When their son is diagnosed with autism, they seek the best treatments, but nothing works … until they discover their son’s connection to horses and the effect it has on him. Part travel adventure and shamanic quest, this is the story of how one family found a gateway into understanding their son’s life.

The Horse Boy is being co-sponsored by The Autism Society of Nebraska and will be showing in the Lincoln theater from April Friday April 2 through Thursday April 8th.    You can view the trailer here.  

Please visit the Mary Riepma Ross web site to find out the movie showtimes!

Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
313 N. 13th Street
Lincoln, NE 

Mention that you are with the Autism Society of Nebraska Group and get the discounted rate of: $5.50.

Questions to Michaela Newman-Autism Society of Nebraska-President

Free Bowling for families with children on the Autism Spectrum!

Saturday, April 10th
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Bowl Mor Lanes and Lounge
210 Niobrara Ave
Alliance, NE

The Autism Society of Nebraska and the Omaha Royals invite you out to Roseblatt for a special Autism Awareness Day game!

Sunday, April 11th
Game time:  1:35pm
Roseblatt Stadium

$5 reserved seat tickets for families and friends of the Autism Society of Nebraska

Kids get to run the bases after the game

Clowns, face painting and balloon art

Deadline for ordering tickets is April 2nd!  Download a flyer here.

The Autism Society of America and AMC Entertainment have worked together to create sensory friendly films in an attempt to accommodate families with special needs.  This is not only for autism families but also for any families with special needs. 

The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced.   There will be no previews before the film so plan to arrive early as the movie will start at 10am!   AMC is also being very generous and letting our families bring in their own GFCF snacks. Regular concessions are also available to purchase.

Questions - contact Michaela Newman at (402)933-1216 or bnewms@cox.net 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

(view trailer here)
Saturday, March 20th
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person 

Please help us spread the word.   

How to Train Your Dragon

(view trailer here)
Saturday, April 10th
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person

Please help us spread the word.

Shrek 4

(view trailer here)
Saturday, May 22nd 
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person

Please help us spread the word.

Autism Society of Nebraska Puzzle Walk Meeting
February 8th, 2010
7pm-9pm
The Nebraska Medical Center- Durham Outpatient Center Room (DOC) 2628
4400 Emile St- Omaha, NE
Michaela’s Cell Phone: 402-658-5261                     (See Map here)

Directions:
Off interstate-Take the 42nd St Exit (Exit 451)
Turn Left onto 42nd St. (Going North)
Continue on 42nd St.
Emile St. Turn Left at lights
Drive until you see the big circle drive on your Right- says “Durham Outpatient Center”
park in the parking structure to the West

Go in main doors of Durham Outpatient Center
Take elevators or escalator in the main entrance to second floor- room 2628

A few weeks ago we asked our community to help us design the 2010 Autism Puzzle Walk T shirts.  Here are three designs that were submitted in the contest and we humbly thank everyone who took time to get creative.    Two of the designs below were submitted by persons on the spectrum and one was submitted by a sibling.  All of the submission were all wonderful and we applaud your creativity!  Thank you!!!!

But now we need our community to help us decide which design to put on the Autism Society’s 2010 Puzzle Walk T shirts!  Please follow the link below and cast your vote! 

DESIGN A:

DESIGN B:

DESIGN C:

Click here to vote for your choice for the

2010 Autism Puzzle Walk T shirts! 

(Vote closes on Sunday February 14th)

The Autism Society of America and AMC Entertainment have worked together to create sensory friendly films in an attempt to accommodate families with special needs.  This is not only for autism families but also for any families with special needs. 

The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced.   There will be no previews before the film so plan to arrive early as the movie will start at 10am!   AMC is also being very generous and letting our families bring in their own GFCF snacks. Regular concessions are also available to purchase.

Questions - contact Michaela Newman at (402)933-1216 or bnewms@cox.net 

The Tooth Fairy

(view trailer here)
Saturday, February 6
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person

Please help us spread the word.  Download a flyer here.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

(view trailer here)
Saturday, March 20th
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person 

Please help us spread the word.  Download a flyer here.

How to Train Your Dragon

(view trailer here)
Saturday, April 10th
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person

Please help us spread the word.

The Autism Society of America and AMC Entertainment have worked together to create sensory friendly films in an attempt to accommodate families with special needs.  This is not only for autism families but also for any families with special needs. 

The movie auditoriums will have their lights brought up, the sound turned down, and AMC’s “Silence is Golden^®” policy will not be enforced.   There will be no previews before the film so plan to arrive early as the movie will start at 10am!   AMC is also being very generous and letting our families bring in their own GFCF snacks. Regular concessions are also available to purchase.

Alvin and The Chipmunks 2 (view trailer here)
Saturday, January 9th
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person

Please help us spread the word.  Download a flyer here.

The Tooth Fairy (view trailer here)
Saturday, February 6
10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza
$5 per person

Please help us spread the word.  Download a flyer here.

Questions - contact Michaela Newman at 402-933-1216 or bnewms@cox.net

The Omaha Support Group meets the first Monday of every month at Pump it Up.  Here is our flyer  that explains about how the evening works (usually).

A huge part of our success comes from the wonderful University of Nebraska-Omaha Student volunteers from the NSSLHA group(Speech and Hearing students).  Unfortunately, during our January 4th meeting these students will still be on their winter break.  This means that we will not have extra volunteers available to supervise the bounce rooms.

For this month only, we have to require that if you bring your children to jump it will be necessary for provide your own adult to supervise them.  Maybe Dad can supervise the children while Mom comes to support group?  Or perhaps Mom supervises while Dad comes to support group?   If you don’t have the extra adult to spare than you can still come and just bounce!  This is still an autism friendly event where you can come and have a great time!   Support happens in the play areas as well as the support group room!   Please note that we will still have a support group meeting in the separate room so please don’t hesitate to come either way!

For over a year now, the Autism Society of America has partnered with AMC Theaters to create a sensory friendly envirnoment for families with special needs.  Families across the metro have turned out to watch movies ranging from the more mature Harry Potter to the newest Disney classic, The Princess and the Frog. 

To celebrate a great year and the continuation of a great program there will a free showing of the movie Elf for all families with children on the autism spectrum.  Please note that pre-registration is required!  Please RSVP here or call Michaela Newman at (402) 933-1216.

As part of this celebration there will also be a free popcorn and soda for each patron! 

This is a sensory friendly showing, so the lights will be turned up and the sound turned down to meet the audiences needs. The children are also free to move around if they need. Families are also allowed to bring in their own GFCF food items.   As always, there are no previews so plan to be in your seats promptly at 10am!

Enjoy the movie!

ELF
December 19, 2009 10:00 am
Omaha’s AMC Oakview 24 Theater
3555 S 140th Plaza

Dear Family and Friends of the Autism Community,

As many of you may know the Autism Society of Nebraska has had a successful Autism Puzzle Walk for the past 2 years.  We are in the process of putting together our 3rd Annual Autism Society of Nebraska Puzzle Walk with a tentative date of as May 1st  2010. This years walk will again be held at Chalco Hills Recreation Area in Omaha.

This event requires a tremendous amount of commitment and planning from volunteers within our community.  An orientation meeting for the Autism Puzzle Walk has been scheduled for Jan 11^th at 7:oo p.m at Senior Matias.

Assistance is needed is a variety of ways. We need leaders to coordinate food, raffle and registrations but we also need volunteers who are willing to donate a few hours of work. So, whether you are able to stuff envelops or have a background planning community events, we need you there on Monday, January 11^th!

We also need help securing corporate sponsors. Historically our best partnerships have been with those organizations where our families work. If you know of a possible sponsor please let us know. We will have large and small sponsorships available and would appreciate any help you are able to give to this important cause.

The mission of the Nebraska Chapter of the Autism Society of America is to support and advocate for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families. The funds raised from the walk will be used for family scholarship program, funding support groups, sponsoring activities for families touched by autism, annual ASD state conference speakers and the continuation of our newsgram, website and virtual support group.

We hope you consider helping us make a difference in the lives of individuals with autism here in Nebraska! Please email me if you are able to attend the Jan 11^h meeting at bnewms@cox.net or call 1-877-375-0120.

Remember the missing piece is YOU!

Sincerely,

Michaela Newman
Autism Society of America- Nebraska Chapter President

Many thanks to the Autism Society’s National partner PUMP IT UP! This concludes our first year with the Omaha Support Group hosting their meetings at PUMP IT UP and it has been a phenomenal year!  Our friends at PUMP IT UP have been amazing supporters and we thank them for everything they have done to help the Omaha Support group grow their support and community activities for the families in Omaha.

Monday was the 2009 Holiday Party and we had over 50 kids bouncing on the Pump It Up inflatables in between visits with Santa.  Some kids were eager to visit Santa’s lap and even had their lists memorized down to the very last detail.  Others were content to wave from a distance.   The best part about this holiday party was Santa understood and gave the kids as much time and space as they needed.

Be sure and check out our photo gallery for pictures from the 2009 Holiday Party in Omaha! 

We were very fortunate that our friends at UNO’s NSSLHA group (National Student Speach Language Hearing Association) had Santa’s personal cell number and were able arrange for Santa to join us.  This group of soon to be educational professionals have proven time and time again what great champions they are for our kids.  We would like to sincerely thank them for everything they do and will do for our families during their  years here at UNO and their professional years far beyond.

On behalf of the Autism Society as well as the Omaha Support Group, we thank all of the families who have joined us at our events as well.  Thank you everyone for a phenomenal 2009!