Taking an autistic child to the cinema: autism-friendly screenings and how to prepare

A dark room, a very loud sound system, strangers behind you and twenty minutes of adverts before anything happens. With the right screening and a plan, the cinema can be a favourite treat.

Start with an autism-friendly screening

Most UK chains run autism-friendly screenings on a Sunday morning: lights left low rather than off, sound turned down, no adverts or trailers, and you can move around and make noise. Search ‘autism friendly screening’ plus your town. They are the best first visit by a mile.

Show what happens

Read the cinema story: tickets, popcorn, finding the seat, the lights going down, the loud bit, the film, the lights coming up. Watch the film’s trailer at home so the characters are already known.

Seats, sound and snacks

Sit at the end of a row near the exit, so a break is easy.
Ear defenders on before the lights go down, not after the first bang.
Bring your own snack if the cinema allows it; new food plus a new place is too much.
A tiny torch or a phone screen for a child who needs to see where they are.

Breaks are allowed

Say it in advance: ‘If it’s too much, we go out to the corridor and come back when you’re ready.' Leaving before the end is fine. Nobody is scoring.

Make the free story first

Type your child’s name and get “Sam goes to the cinema” as a picture story: one picture and one sentence a page, in their name. Read it a few times before the day, then take it with you. Print it, save it as a PDF, or read it in the Now & Next app with every routine as a story too.

Make the story (free) Open the app

Kits that go with this guide

Calm Down Corner Kit (£4.49): A Calm Corner sign, 8 calming posters, a feelings scale, a calm choices board and 18 cards.

Written by a dad to an autistic son with ADHD. This is everyday parenting advice, not medical or therapy advice. If you’re worried about your child, talk to your GP, health visitor or school SENCo.