By Sarah Hall

Editor

On Jan. 7, Syracuse Stage will do something no organization in Central New York has ever done.

The theater organization will open its doors to families with special needs for a first-ever sensory-friendly performance of “Mary Poppins” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Tickets are available at a discounted rate of $25 and will be 100 percent refundable right up until the start of the show. Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, 820 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, or by phone at 443-3275.

According to Jean Leiker, board member of the CNY Chapter of the Autism Society of America, the Syracuse Stage presentation is a welcome addition to the resources available to families with special needs, especially sensory sensitivities.

“I think the press release from Syracuse Stage touched on a lot of issues families with autism [and sensory processing disorder] face,” Leiker said. “I think a lot of families feel, ‘People don’t want us here. What if my child makes weird noises? What if we have to get up and leave?’ People hesitate before they participate in things like that. It’s a nice way to go beyond promoting awareness toward acceptance and inclusion in our community.”

Indeed, the Syracuse Stage performance is one of a number of resources in Central New York for those with sensory processing disorder (SPD) or those on the autism spectrum.

“[More people are] recognizing that people on the spectrum are achieving and succeeding each day,” Leiker said. “Minor accommodations and modifications might be the solution to achieving that success.”

Living with sensory processing disorder

Someone with SPD finds it difficult to process and act upon sensory information. Sensory signals either aren’t detected or aren’t organized into appropriate responses. Dr. A. Jean Ayres, an occupational therapist, educational psychologist, and neuroscientist who has done significant research on SPD, compared the condition to a neurological “traffic jam” that prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. While many people have occasional difficulties processing sensory information, for those with SPD, these processing difficulties can significantly disrupt everyday life.

SPD is a fairly common condition. The STAR Institute for Sensory Processing Disorder estimates that one in 20 children are affected by some form of SPD, though one study estimates the number is closer to one in 6. Autism spectrum disorder, which often includes sensory sensitivities, affects one in 68 children.

Those with SPD can be overstimulated by bright lights and loud sounds. Because of that, they and their families often avoid even the most mundane of activities — and certainly special events like theater performances are out of the question.

That’s why Syracuse Stage wanted to offer a sensory-friendly performance of “Mary Poppins” this January.

“This is a community that we wanted to make sure could be included in the arts,” said Kate Laissle, assistant director for education at Syracuse Stage. “Often times, families feel the pressure to either not attend public theater events or to leave their child with sensory issues behind, leading to undue stress. We wanted to be able to have a performance where the whole family could be included.”

Laissle said the goal of the performance is to bring the arts to a population that it not might otherwise reach.

“When it comes to theater, we are having a sensory-friendly performance to meet children at their level,” she said. “We know that it can be incredibly difficult for people with sensory issues to handle the brilliant lighting and loud sounds that often accompany a performance. In addition, there are conventions of theater that may not be attainable for some people, such as sitting still and staying quiet. We embrace these differences — the essence of theater is telling the stories of people from different walks of life. This performance is a safe space where those differences are not only accepted, but celebrated.”

Laissle said “Mary Poppins” was chosen because it’s a fun, charming show that audiences of all ages can enjoy with a relatable message. She hopes it will be the first of many sensory-friendly performances at Syracuse Stage.

“‘Mary Poppins’ is going to be a test run for sensory-friendly performances,” she said. “It is our hope to learn from this, see what worked and what could be improved and use this experience host many more sensory-friendly performances.”

Special accommodations in the sensory friendly performance of “Mary Poppins” will include:

• Lower sound levels, especially for loud or startling noises
• Reduced stage lighting
• Increased lighting in the theater to allow easier movement if necessary
• Preparatory materials provided to parents and children before the show so families know what to expect, from the box office to the seats to what costumes may be seen
• Use of iPads or smart phones if being used as a child’s communication device
• Designated rooms outside the theater for those who may be overwhelmed and need a minute to self-regulate
• Specially trained ushers, staff and volunteers

While this is the first sensory-friendly performance to be offered in Central New York, Syracuse Stage regularly provides resources for its special-needs patrons.

In fact, the stage received the Mattie Letham Community Leadership Excellence Award for accessibility programming from Aurora of Central New York in 2015.

Other accessibility programming includes audio-described performances for the blind and visually impaired, ASL-interpreted performances, Audio Enhancement headphones for those with up to 70 percent hearing loss and Open Captioning. To learn more, visit syracusestage.org/accessibility.php.

Sensory-friendly fun

Nor is Syracuse Stage the only organization that has recognized this need in the community. There are a number of other sensory-friendly offerings around CNY. Regal Theaters at Destiny offers a discounted matinee of a popular movie currently showing one Saturday a month with the sounds lowered and the lights dimmed, but not off. Wonderworks also offers a sensory-friendly time once a month, and both Get Air and SkyZone offer sensory-friendly jump times.

One of the pioneers of the effort to provide sensory-friendly entertainment to families in Central New York is the the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) in Armory Square. The MOST began offering Sensory Friendly Time (SFT) five years ago, according to Executive Vice President Lauren Kochian.

“We are very much in tune with our visitor and member needs and wanted to make sure, regardless of need or ability, that all guests felt welcome and included,” Kochian said.

One Saturday a month, the MOST stays open after hours and dims the bright lights, turns down the loud noises and welcomes guests with special needs who might be overstimulated during regular business hours. The program netted the MOST the Museum of New York Award in 2014.

“People of all ages and abilities are welcome all the time, but this is an extra special way to make sure that everyone is included at the MOST,” Kochian said. She said about 100 guests attend every month, many of whom are regular visitors who look forward to SFT every month.

Meanwhile, the list of organizations offering sensory-friendly activities continues to grow. Leiker said many businesses and organizations are more than willing to accommodate families with special needs.

“I feel like business are becoming very receptive to the idea, not necessarily [of just being] sensory-friendly, but making accommodations to include all members of the community,” she said. “Sometimes it’s just a matter of approaching the business. For example, in the month of April, we collaborated with Uno’s in Fayetteville for an Autism Awareness Night. Families who were maybe not comfortable dining out hopefully felt more comfortable that evening. Businesses in general are very receptive to doing this type of thing if you approach them.”

Finding strength in numbers

For Leiker, whose 14-year-old son has autism, the most valuable resource has been other parents who have children with special needs. When her son was diagnosed 11 years ago, she said she felt isolated until she connected with other moms going through the same situation.

“We did not have a local chapter of the Autism Society in Central New York, and we thought it would be a really nice idea if we could get a chapter up and running to help out the Syracuse community,” she said. “We could provide services to go to as far as answers to questions, information about resources, having some activities to offer where families could feel comfortable and safe and welcome.”

Now the group has two Facebook groups that provide a sounding board for parents.

“It’s become a very valuable resource, from an informational perspective as well as for moral support. You can go on and vent — ‘My kid had a meltdown today,’ and other parents will respond, ‘It happened to me yesterday,’ or ‘Hang in there,’” Leiker said. The pages can also help families find more practical resources. “When you have sensory issues, something like haircuts or dentists can be really painful, so having that network of parents can be really useful. Before, you’d be making phone calls all day long looking for information. So from that perspective, that type of forum is really valuable.”

While social media has allowed parents to better support each other, Leiker said she’s also seen a big change in the community in general over the last decade.

“I do notice a greater awareness from the community in general,” she said. She said she thought that has contributed to the culture in Central New York that has made sensory-friendly resources more accessible.

Both Laissle and Kochian said that’s what their programs aim to accomplish.

“When all children are thriving, we all benefit,” Kochian said. “It is a great way for children to feel comfortable… with other children that may have the same special needs. Parents often remark at how nice it is to be with other parents dealing with similar challenges. When the community practices inclusion, we all benefit.”

Leiker agreed.

“In general,” she said, “the more welcoming and inclusive the community can be, I think everybody benefits.”