NEW YORK — Autism-friendly performances of "Wicked," "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," and "The Lion King" are on tap for later this year and next.

The Theatre Development Fund, a nonprofit that provides access to live theater, said Thursday the schedule of shows will be: "The Lion King" on Sept. 29, "Spider-Man" on Nov. 16 and "Wicked" on March 2.

The Fund bought all the tickets to the three matinees and will offer them at a discount for children and adults on the autism spectrum.

The shows will be slightly altered to make those with autism more comfortable, including cutting jarring sounds and strobe lights. Quiet areas with beanbag chairs and coloring books, staffed by autism experts, also will be created inside the theater for those who might feel overwhelmed.