Autistic kids invited to special Broadway show

[August 18, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Families of autistic children have a new place to engage their sons and daughters -- Broadway.

The Theatre Development Fund, a nonprofit organization focused on providing access to live theater, announced Thursday it will present an autism friendly performance on Broadway when it offers a special showing of "The Lion King."

The Oct. 2 matinee of the long-running musical will be slightly altered to make those with autism more comfortable, including cutting jarring sounds and strobe lights.

There will be three quiet areas inside the Minskoff Theatre with beanbag chairs and coloring books for those who feel overwhelmed. Autism experts will be on hand to help

Autism strikes one in 100 children, according to U.S. government estimates.

___

Online:

http://www.tdf.org/autism/

[Associated Press; By MARK KENNEDY]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.