Chuck E. Cheese offers Sunday fun for children with autism

Jan. 6--Angela Brown's son, Liam, is less interested in playing the arcade's games than he is in listening to their peppy music. He runs from one game to the next, then goes back to the first, then repeats.

Brown is grateful that Chuck E. Cheese restaurants offer this event so her son is able to run around carefree.

The Brown family has been coming to Sensory Sensitive Sunday for over a year now. On the first Sunday of every month, the restaurant opens two hours early for families with children with autism and similar special needs. The lights are dimmed and the overhead music and the character show are turned off, but all of the arcade games and the full menu are still available.

Jasmine, Jeffrey and 5-year old Amiyah Wright were newcomers to the event in Augusta this Sunday and are already fans.

"I like it. It's spaced out, the lights are low, it's not loud in here, and (Amiyah) can roam freely without me having to be like 'I know where you're going,'" Jamine said.

Brown is also a big fan of how little crowding there is since her son likes to roam between games. She said coming to the arcade has also served as a great education source for Liam.

"It's good for his physical development, his fine motor skills and his coordination," Brown said. "Press the buttons, and trying to put the coin in the slot, it's kind of like P.T. [physical therapy] combined with playing."

Chuck E. Cheese general manager Misti Kehr said the business has gotten a lot of positive feedback from families. She said that after years of children coming here, they have developed such a bond that some children will run in and hug the employees.

"You've got to think, some of the children might not get to go out much to places like this because it is so crowded," Kehr said. "So to be able to come here and know they have a great time, that's everything to us."

Sensory Sensitive Sundays are reserved for families with children with autism and other such special needs. A full list of participating locations can be found on the events page of Chuck E. Cheese's website.

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