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Flyswatter Veteran user 370 Posts |
Hello all,
This summer, I'm going to be a camp counselor for kids who need special needs (mostly Autistic children) ranges from 8-16. I was wondering, incase I was requested to teach them magic tricks, what are some recommandations if you guys have these experiences? Thanks. |
Jim Sparx Inner circle Far Out, Texas 1144 Posts |
I have an ex wife and a current daughter in England that teaches autistic kids. I have even gone as a volunteer on field trips, tagging along to help out. Tough crowd.
But lovely kids, especially the Downs children which you would probably have more success with as they are eager to learn new things. They will have the longest attention span. For the autistic children this is going to be a tough one because of their lack of attention and their inability to focus on the moment. Even showing them something like a color changing silk may get a so what response. But that would be an easy one to teach. Nothing cut and restored, no scissors or knives. The lack of apparatus makes this difficult and manipulation of objects may be too clumsy for some. If I think of more I will come back. Good luck. PS I reread your post and noticed you said, "in case you were requested" - so this is not a sure thing?
Et tu, Spartacus?
https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/chispadeelpaso.html |
Flyswatter Veteran user 370 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-06-13 19:14, spartacus wrote: It's a sure thing I will be hanging out with the kids, and since I've been doing magic for a little while, I will show them some close up stuff. But I'm not sure if I will be performing (there might be some kind of talent show), and if kids are really interested in learning, I'm thinking of if I should teach them or not... |
troppobob Veteran user Crescent Head Australia 372 Posts |
G'day Dennis
I expect you will have a fulfilling experience with these young people. There are many people who live with autism that have more than mastered the skills for presenting magic in a most entertaining way. As you would already be aware - people with autism have a wide range of abilities and can not be easily defined by the term autism. It has been established that when working with anybody who has a disability, the best approach is to concentrate on their "ability" and assist to develop skills that appear to be within a person's capability. All the best with this venture and feel free to PM if you would like to further discuss aspects of working with a person who has a disability. Bob Latta (aka Troppo Bob) |
Payne Inner circle Seattle 4571 Posts |
Get a hold of Doug Scheer as he has an child with autism and is an advocate for those dealing with the disorder. He wrote an Article in MAGIC a year or two ago that was quite informative in how to handle children with autism in ones performances. I think he even has a lecture on this subject as well.
You can most likely contact him through his website http://www.assemblyshows.com/
"America's Foremost Satirical Magician" -- Jeff McBride.
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TheRaven Special user 597 Posts |
You can read about how I developed an act with my mentally impaired son here: http://www.scpr.org/blogs/offramp/2010/0......lsmagic/
If you don't already know you will soon learn that children with the same named disability can have widely varied levels of ability and disability. Troppobob is right on. Find ways to leverage their strenghts and minimize the impact of their development needs. |
Flyswatter Veteran user 370 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-06-15 17:14, TheRaven wrote: That was an amazing act! I'm a psychology student.I've only learned about artistic children by book, never worked with any. Starting tomorrow, I will start my two months experience, I'm very excited and hope to meet all the kids soon. |
Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Check out Tony Chris in the Chef's Special, Feb 2012. He has two autistic children and was able to give some wonderful advice.
Ed |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Check out the following threads:
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=17 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=17 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=17 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=17 http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......forum=17 |
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