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1KJ Inner circle Warning: We will run out of new tricks in 4385 Posts |
Quote:
On Mar 29, 2007, Father Photius wrote: This is good advice. I would add something that Manal touched on. I would suggest that unless you have experience with autistic people, don't try to engage them in conversation. Don't try to have them be an active participant in an effect. That doesn't mean you can't talk to an autistic person, just don't do anything that requires them to reciprocate in conversation or in actions. Just do fun visual magic without a complicated patter and without requiring their input. This allows them to just watch and enjoy. I have a good friend with an autistic son, and it took me quite a while to understand the dynamics of how to interact with him. Thinking through these things is helpful when performing for non-autistic people. Some of these same things can apply. For example, if you are performing for a corporate group on a Friday evening, after a long week's work, you might want to structure your magic accordingly. If I'm trying to enjoy a cocktail and watch a magic show, I wouldn't want to sit through the magician who is challenging my brain at every moment.. "So, where's the ball now?"... "Now how many coins do I have in my left hand?" If you put yourself in their shoes, you might think "Would you stop asking me questions and just get on with your little show?" KJ |
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mlts22 New user 6 Posts |
This is a really good topic. I'm working on a volunteer children's act myself, and the above is very good advice. I am going to try to have my tricks flow/segue into one another, working on the visuals mainly. Even the basic tricks that require little to no sleight of hand work like "different sized cups, same amount of water", seem to be very entertaining. There is no dialog or explaining to do, and the visuals are what keeps the audience interested.
Autism is tough, because it isn't a "one size fits all" problem. Some kids might be intelligent, but just don't have the vocal articulation, so they understand everything you are saying, but don't keep up verbally. Others might just be withdrawn and have a "defensive perimeter" established, and it takes a lot to overcome that. All and all, I'd say this type of audience is the most challenging, as well as the most rewarding, in my relatively limited experience. |
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Lin_ New user 70 Posts |
The thread itself is old thing, but I want to make talk about this thing.
I think you should not show close-up things, especially card tricks. Rather than, I suggest show them stage stuffs, including illusion effects. Unless most of them are in Asperger's Syndrome, They would not understand when you show card tricks - because of many of them are not seeing small stuffs. And one more thing that I want to stress is "to prepare for exposure of secret", especially in the case of low distance between magician(s) and autism audiences. Some people willing to get to stage, then want to find what is the 'secret', especially in people with Asperger's Syndrome. |
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Levi Bennett Inner circle 1778 Posts |
This has been a great thread. Thanks for all your advice. I may be performing for autistic children in the very near future and this will help immensely.
Performing magic unprofessionally since 2008!
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The Mysterious One Veteran user 384 Posts |
I know that this is an old thread. Been lurking at the Café for years while continue to grow in this wonderful art. I don't comment often, but I will now. This has been a fantastic thread. I have a 12 year old nephew with Asperger's. I haven't seen him in 4 years due to he and his parents moving to 31 hours away. While visiting, I recently performed one of my favorite card effects. I am very use to performing for various aged audiences throughout the years. His response after I performed this card effect was (with a straight face) "I don't know what you did but magic is not real." He looked very concerned and looked at his father for acknowledging what he said. He then proceeded to say that magic is impossible. A very different reaction than the rest of his family that were either speechless or smiling while saying "No way..." I have been wondering how can I get a strong, positive reaction performing for an individuals with Asperger's or on the autism spectrum
Performing for autistic kids to me sounds like a real challenge. I have a potential gig coming up with a 16 year old autistic girl that functions at a 4 year old level. I looked at the gig as a wonderful challenge to learn, have fun, and thoroughly entertain this girl and her family. The advice on this thread will contribute to that. I know it is kind of late to say this but thank you everyone for your comments. |
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bignickolson New user 87 Posts |
Just because you don't get the reactions you expect doesn't mean they're not enjoying the show. I've done things for people with autism and it all varies. They're just as different as any other random spectator. Try what your good at it and if it doesn't seem to work adjust accordingly.
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