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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The February 2012 entrée: Tony Chris » » Autistic children's entertainer? » » TOPIC IS LOCKED Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 1782 Posts Posted: Feb 23, 2012 1:52pm       I understand this subject has been seen a few times in the Little Darlings section, and I greatly appreciated your personal story as a response. My daughter works with autistic children in a school, but I really have no great knowledge of their world. I did do a birthday show for two brothers, ages 8 and 10. The 8-year-old was autistic. The party was filled with the 10-year-old' friends, and - as young kids will do - they were quite mean to the younger boy because he's "different" and did things that were not accepted by them. That got me wondering if there might be niche as an entertainer for autistic children. About all I know is that the spectrum can be broad and varied. I assume a person trying this would have to be very adaptable. But would it even be feasable? Or do you think a stranger attempting to be entertaining to an autistic child as a niche focus would not go well? Ed Ed Millis performs amazing Magic Shows in and around Yuma, Arizona. Here's the Family Fun Magic blog on Birthday Party Options in Yuma. Magic never had it so fun! In Him - In Business My other blog. Tony Chris V.I.P. Vancouver, Canada 709 Posts Posted: Feb 23, 2012 4:45pm       Hi Ed, Bless your daughter for what she does. I truly mean that. My son and daughter for anyone who may not know, both have autism and they are 13 and 7 years old. They would be completely lost in the school system if not for people such as your daughter. They really need their S.E.A.'s (special education assistants) just to learn the basics. I have spoken about my situation a few times in "The Little Darlings" section of the Café so anyone can check out some of the great threads posted by some of the Magic Café members there. I really enjoy doing shows for autistic kids and autism organizations where I live. I always donate the autism organization shows as it makes me feel good inside. It is sad that the other children would pick on the little fella for being different. That is just not right. As you said, autism is a huge spectrum and no two kids are alike. You have the mild, moderate and severely autistic and with those parameters you have a litany of other things going on such as verbal, non verbal ADD, Terets, ADHD and other additional attachments that go along with autism. It truly is one of life's most mysterious afflictions. I think as far as it being a niche market, it would be very difficult to try and figure out where and how to market that sort of niche as an entertainer. I guess you could always go to your local autism society and pitch the idea to the facilitators letting them know that you a very specific show that is designed for many levels of the autistic child and you would like to offer your services through them for the many heartbroken and frustrated parents of autistic children. That would be what I would do if I were to try and put together a show for those kids. You would definitely have to do your homework first. You would have to do lots of research on autism, and talk to parents of autistic kids or in your case, you have a wonderful daughter who could give you an inside look through the window of the autistic child in her work. You also must genuinely want to make a difference for these kids and their families. It is one thing to perform a kids show for fun and profit but it is a whole different world to develop a show for them because it really matters to you. People with big hearts can accomplish big things! Perhaps that person is you Ed. TC As magicians we create what onlookers call magic. If they truly believe in what we have created for them to witness then magic is real!!! - TONY CHRIS, A.K.A. Zany Zack http://www.tonychris.com Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 1782 Posts Posted: Feb 23, 2012 11:18pm       Thank you, Sir! I don't even know if we have an autism group in my city. Because of privacy requirements, my daughter can't share any information. But I do know a few other parents - including the ones who just hired me. I may get brave enought to look into it. Cheers! Ed Ed Millis performs amazing Magic Shows in and around Yuma, Arizona. Here's the Family Fun Magic blog on Birthday Party Options in Yuma. Magic never had it so fun! In Him - In Business My other blog. Tony Chris V.I.P. Vancouver, Canada 709 Posts Posted: Feb 24, 2012 12:04am       I say go for it Ed. You may end up being the "Go To Guy" for not only autism but other parents and groups that champion kids with special needs like Down Syndrome, Development Dissabilities etc. It would be worth looking into I would say! As magicians we create what onlookers call magic. If they truly believe in what we have created for them to witness then magic is real!!! - TONY CHRIS, A.K.A. Zany Zack http://www.tonychris.com The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The February 2012 entrée: Tony Chris » » Autistic children's entertainer? » » TOPIC IS LOCKED <<< Previous Topic   Next Topic >>>

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