Special screening for special children

  • Published
  • By Ashley Mangin
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs volunteer contributor
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  All children are special, but there are those who have special needs as well. Tomorrow the base theater at 9:30 a.m. features a special screening of the Disney Pixar film "Finding Nemo" with special amenities to accommodate children who might not be able to attend theaters under normal conditions.

Any child with a medical or educational condition that requires a specialist is a child with special needs. Special-needs children can have any range of conditions from asthma to seizures or attention deficit disorder to autism or even the need to see a speech therapist.

During the movie, the lights will remain up and the sound will be turned down to accommodate the children. Families may bring their own specialized snacks, and there will be popcorn and soft drinks available for purchase. The event is hosted by the base's Exceptional Family Member Program.

Little Rock Air Force Base has approximately 375 children with special needs registered in the EFMP. Many of the parents of these children meet once a month in a support group forum to voice their opinions and concerns. Anyone with special needs is required to sign up with the EFMP. The program provides support and advice for families with special needs as well as ensuring that there are proper facilities at their next base.

"One thing that has been brought up recently has been taking your special-needs child to a movie," said Connie Oxford, special-needs coordinator. "Many parents don't know how their children will react to the movie theater environment, so we're having an event especially for those children with special needs."

All the proceeds from the snack sales will go toward future program events.

"We hope to have a good turn out," Ms. Oxford said. "If this event goes well, we would love to do it again, and try other activities too."

For more information about the event or the EFMP, call Ms. Oxford at 987-1256.