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maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
I've been invited to perform for autistic children ages between 8 to 12 years old.Does anyone has experienced with that.I was wondering what kind of effects you can do for them.
Thank you for your valuable inputs
the heart is where the magic begins
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seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
I hope we get some responses as I would be very interested as well.
There was an interesting article in the January edition of Magic Magazine on performing for special needs children that talked a bit about understanding them and working with them. I didn't really answer this question, but it might be interesting if you havn't seen it yet.
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I would ask the teacher/supervisor for information about that specific group. As usual for a program, ask how many students will be there. (7 or 207?)
Sudden movements, loud noises ...can trigger a negative response. Responses to jokes may be different than you expect. A few years ago, I was asked to create an assembly for a small group students (about 65) as a "get ready/practice" assembly for a group of student like you describe. It was a great learning experience for the students and me. (or is me and the students....or is it I???)
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
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Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts |
I have this experience in the past, and is both very rewarding BUT very complicated too!
Special kids (Autist) enjoy see the other participating and can be a little bit shy about being on stage...you can use the fathers as helpers but with care because they can think you can injured the others in your experiment. They love puppets,live rabbits, doves. Avoid balloons, they pop and scare them or distract them from the show. Lets say that this kind of show is a show for the kids to see the other have fun in your show. Story Telling and Big colorful props are nice and effects would be direct and clear, is difficult to them to follow lets say a sucker effect. I hope this helps, -H
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I do these kind of shows all the time, and be ready for anything is my best advise. They may be shy, they may be friendly, they are very unpredictable, but there will be plenty of staff to help you, so treat them like any other audience of 8 to 12 year old kids.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
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Ed_Millis Inner circle Yuma, AZ 2292 Posts |
Autism makes them process information very differently than we do. They may not get your jokes, and they may not respond to your patter or directions as you expect. What automatically generates a certain predictable response in a "normal" child is doubtful at best with an autistic child.
Be prepared to slow down and tone down, especially if one of them is helping you on stage. One of the less-understood issues with autism is that it deprives the person of the "information filters" you and I unconciously depend on every day. In other words, they can have great difficulty "tuning out" audio and visual stimuli to focus on only one thing For example, it's not uncommon for more adult autistics to explain that all sounds have equal volume and importance in their brain. An adult understands they must make a concious effort to hear only one thing; a child has no concept of that. It's entirely possible that additional noises from the room around them can easily throw them off the track of the routine. Then again, you may not have any problems at all. Just be prepared for the unexpected. Ed |
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Ed is fairly much right. So are Hansel, Al and Harris. I find this group challenging (very!) but rewarding. Puppets go over well.
Downs Syndrome is far easier; they love magic shows, and your normal kids show, with lots of smiles, is all that is required. But autistic kids can react unexpectedly to things, so be ready. Be flexible, simple, direct, and ask the staff for advice. Good luck with it.
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francisngkl Special user Singapore 509 Posts |
Children with autistic challenges are visual learners. The degree of autism ranges greatly from mild to serious. You may see teachers communicating with some using pictorial boards. Most cannot sit still and they tend to move a lot, they may vocalize loudly and suddenly when their needs are not met. You probably would need to ensure there are enough stuff to look after them during performance. Use big, visual and colorful tricks. Like Ed said, no needs for jokes but should act funny, do not scare them with potentially frightening costumes.
Francis
Carpe Diem, Seize The Day!
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maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
Thanks Guys.Fanatastic inputs!There are usually about 70 to a 100 of them assemblied to watch the show in the hall.It's a mix of varying degree of autistism and children with Downs.I've performed for them with puppets but are thinking of using magic in the show.
They certainly don't like loud noises and sudden movements.Even if the mic is too loud for some of them. So sucker trick is out? What kind of effect will appeal to them? Visual tricks? What about spongeballs,botania and/or wacky washer etc... Wild and wacky is also not suitable?
the heart is where the magic begins
Visit my website [www.mascotsandpuppets.com] |
maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
I wanted to do a reading program for them to encourage them to read.So what kinda magic is good and simple for them to understand.
the heart is where the magic begins
Visit my website [www.mascotsandpuppets.com] |
maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
Forgot to add that this is a 30 mins program
the heart is where the magic begins
Visit my website [www.mascotsandpuppets.com] |
mr shiney Loyal user 266 Posts |
Guess ive been luck as I have done lots of parties for autistic kids and have found it easy.
You have the staff there more than in a norrmal school I just do my normal show and they sat better than some of my parties were the kids are just pains, Would just keep an eye on the sound level and no tricks were you pop a balloon |
maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
Tks Mr Shiney.Do you do interactive segments with them?
the heart is where the magic begins
Visit my website [www.mascotsandpuppets.com] |
Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-03-10 14:24, TonyB2009 wrote: I LOVE Down Syndrome kids!!! I work every year a gala for regular sponsors and a big show for the kids and they are LOVELY!!!! If you can work with this type of kids, you would feel GREAT and love EVERY MINUTE of what you do!!! -H
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maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
Now we know some of the limitations, like loud noises and popping balloons is not desirable.Also the volume of your mic needs to be considered.Sucker tricks are also not so suitable.
So what are some suggested tricks that I can use? I am thinking of a farmyard theme.Can I have a puppet to sing Old Macdonalds and select a few of them have them make the animal noises.I will also do Botania with sponge balls as magical seeds. I need suggestions for more tricks that I can use to educate/entertain them. Not your routines but some suggestions to kickstart the creative side of my brain. The main concern is also whether to pick them as volunteers
the heart is where the magic begins
Visit my website [www.mascotsandpuppets.com] |
mr shiney Loyal user 266 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-03-10 23:27, maps wrote: Yes Lots But in my show I don't have helpers up, so thinking about it that's why ive may have not had any problems. Daivd ginn wreath trick works well |
maps Inner circle 1124 Posts |
Thanks Mr Shiney.By getting them involved as in singing,shout out a magic work sorta inter-active?
I've performed for them with mainly puppets and marionettes and intend to add magic in to a brand new program that I an designing.
the heart is where the magic begins
Visit my website [www.mascotsandpuppets.com] |
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