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Going to the movies is something most families take for granted, but for the Erhart family it's not so easy.

That's because Bryce Erhart, 6, experiences Asperger’s Syndrome and sometimes the movies can be too much stimulation.  For Bryce and other kids and adults with developmental disabilities a traditional movie experience is unsettling.

"For my son the loud noises make him jittery and make him uncomfortable," said Christopher Erhart, Bryce's Dad. 

The noises, along with sudden changes in light and a crowded room make going to the movies a daunting task for many children like Bryce, and even many adults.  It’s not just about discomfort, though. People with developmental disabilities often need to get up and move around or make noises that can distract other patrons.  It’s an experience the Erhart family wants to avoid.

There are over 200 people in the Kirksville community who experience developmental disabilities. 

That's why Aaron Schnieder of the Adair County Developmental Disabilities Board set up a special 'sensory sensitive' viewing of the new Nanny McPhee movie at Downtown Cinema 8 in Kirksville.

"It's all about taking the cinematic experience down a step. It's just making it more manageable," he explained.

The sensory sensitive cinema doesn't take any special equipment, just a different approach.  The Kirksville theater can manually adjust light and sound levels as needed to soften a movie’s special effects, as well as the whole experience.

Theater manager Jim Fitzpatrick said that’s not what you would normally expect from going to the movies.

"Everything we're doing here is kind of contrary to what we normally do when we try to run a movie to the public," he explained.

For children like Bryce Erhart it makes going to the movies a pleasant experience without the discomfort of a crowded, dark, loud movie theater.

Bryce told KTVO he liked the special viewing.  He rated it at “Five thumbs up.”