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Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
It just so happens that lately I've been performing for more Autistic Kid's Birthday Parties.
I've been getting through using different approaches to different Kids. So far all the Kids have been willing and semi interested in helping during the featured Magic trick for the Birthday Child (the Autistic Child). Sometimes an older Sib. or Cousin has helped and sometimes the B.Day child's interest wandered a bit but I only asked for attention during the Childs "part" in the act and allowed them to focus where they wanted other than that. Some of these Kids are very interested and energetically involved in a "hard to herd" but controllable manner. The Families seemed used to the Kids ways and were very happy with the show. But..., I've been wondering if anyone here has a better and more clinical understanding of what might be of more interest to the Autistic Child. When they are the Birthday Child, I'd like to give them a better time, so to speak. It is clear that there are SEVERAL types in the spectrum. In fact I'd say that all these Kids are very different than each other. Are there ANY similarities that I could rely on to make my performances better in general for these Kids? I've got another one coming up too soon for any answers here to help but the trend has got me thinking. By the way, if the Birthday Child has no interest in helping, it is my policy not to insist. I've just run into some Kids who either wanted to help or would because I was lucky. Does anybody have some helpful knowledge or experience? -Mary Mowder |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Mary. I have a good 30 credits in Psych. As they say “If you’ve seen one autistic child you’ve seen one autistic child”. Generally speaking if you do a slight and they respond or a color change and they respond (or whatever) then you know what they like.
There’s no hard and fast rules and that why I plan to perform 7 routines but carry several more one-minute tricks in case the show needs to be less sophisticated and more visual. So whether its an autistic child or younger child sometimes the visual silly things work best including Wrong Way magic where you drop things or break your wand yourself. And yes, even if the parent or grand parent is insisting the BB or BG helps I wouldn’t make them come up. What I do is (for example) use a change bag, the volunteer can’t find the silks but the seated BB or BG can. They’ll look in the bag at a minimum and that way you involved them. They might pull the silks out they might not but you involved them (at their comfort level) and you didn’t add any stress. By the way my spell checker changed autistic to caustic (silly spell checker) The only thing I’d be concerned with is an older kid who doesn’t know their own strength. I had one grip my arm and I though he was going to break it. He also squeezed the handle on the change bag and it was very difficult to pry it away.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Thanks Jay,
I'm always carrying at least on older and one younger trick than the crowd I'm expecting and usually that is enough since I have a Family oriented show anyway but it couldn't hurt to carry a couple more. I know what you mean by strength. I have had a couple of Autistic Kids show unusual strength but poor coordination, especially when excited. This can make things like handling scissors really hard for them (although they still wanted to do it). This was before I really knew anything about Autism but looking back I can see that was the issue. -Mary Mowder |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Also, Depending on how high functioning they are, some don’t respond to social cues. Some can’t discern that you’re smiling or raising an eyebrow (or what it means) so sometimes it’s just better to make the show a bunch of quick tricks, use music and get the other kids to applaud and cheer.
I also give certain kids one of those cheap gold plastic coins to hold and that way their hands are occupied
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
The right fidget can be very helpful.
Some may have there own. Finding out specialized interest is a plus in any gig. At least it is for me. Issues of noise and smell sensitivity might be an issue. My experience has been working with 7th to Seniors. Occassionally I have been asked by school SPED coordinators to do a pre-assembly program to get the kids ( K-6) ready for the bigger experiences.
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
Being super sound and smell sensitive myself, this has never been an issue for the Kids in my shows (other than the odd and awful speaker squeal) but that is something that I've heard can be a problem too.
Great comment Harris. -Mary |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Thanks
Also there are many levels of autism. Some (formerly known as Aspergers) have more social skills. Melt downs though rare in my experience can happen & can be scary to outsiders. After writing last night , I remembered presence of these great kids at library shows. Though I appreciate the house market I rarely do those. Off topic moment my Father in law is in Hospice living with us. I have cut way back on things except work and small group leader at Church. Mary - your sharing your experience And asking for help I are both appreciated by Harris "Reader and Righter" & Still too old to know it all
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
One of my favorite quotes from one of my students," Mr. Deutsch, I just want to be treated like a regular kid."
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I performed for the large family party (76 people in a house party) of the Autistic Child I had coming up and it was one of the best parties I've done in a while.
The BDay Boy (super cute 7 year old) was not focused in the usual ways and had a fixation on Thomas the Tank Engine (James actually) but was not too different to work with than say a 4 year old. I Know every Kid is different so this won't help much but I want to let Magicians know that they should not fear to take these shows or be too afraid if they show up to an unexpected show for an Autistic child (not all Parents will say their Child is Autistic for fear of being turned away). While I'd still like to do better, for the most part it is like wending your way through a shy or loud or cranky or sugared up Kids Party. You will find a way if you approach it with a positive attitude. I have noticed that eye to eye contact and even physical contact can be uncomfortable for the Autistic Kids I've run into. Since asking Kids to look me in the eye is a typical way that I ask for a child's attention (mostly with Kids in my Family) I would say, avoid that. Don't take it personally when they don't look directly at you. -Mary Mowder |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Yes.
I have many teens tell me that they are not being rude when I first meet them. They just look away. Friday I was blessed to share at a high school class on Vocational Preparation. I sometimes use a magic effect as an illustration or ice breaker. One thing that came up was handling frustration without getting mad. New things are more frustrating to the age you are working with, Mary. Great topic. Seems I read in a trade journal of a magical entertainer that was diagnosed as an adult with Aspergers. He said it helped explain a lot. Harris Still too old to know it all
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
Great thread!
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
I don't have any clinical advice, but from a marketing stand point (how to get through it looking your best) I can sum up in one word: Patience!
I had a child over the weekend at a birthday party who was completely oblivious to me and my show. He sat in the front row and faced the audience (not me). He got up and went behind my table. I did my usual, "Oh no, he's trying figure out my secrets. You'll have sit back down like everyone else." My policy is I'll gently correct them twice. After that, its not my job. My job is patience. It the adults are going to let this child ruin the show, so be it. I will get more compliments on my patience with the child than how wonderful my magic show was. Sadly, I have noticed an increase of autistic children as well.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Your patience and handling moments is as important to present and future consumers.
It is also IMHO - just the right next thing to do. Though heavily scripted it is good to this "Reader and Righter" to be able to adjust/bend when needed. In my niche of the world (Near Oz) a tree that can't do that will break. Harris Still too old to know it all
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
If it’s the birthday boy and he’s behaving really badly, like hitting and punching, I let them do it. The tip is usually big.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
My son is an autistic teen.
Autism is an umbrella that covers many undiagnosed issues. There are no things that apply to all. Most have problems with humor and have sensory issues. Generally, don't make the party loud, and NEVER force them to come "on stage" with you. Most autistic children are socially very awkward, have a hard time reading body language and expressions. Food is a big issue with many autistic kids. They have what they like, and will throw-up anything else. Don't force them to eat candy (no, many don't like it). Many autistic children can create quite a "seen" if they are bothered by something - so don't think it is bad parenting. Parenting an autistic child can be exhausting. If a child is misbehaving, look to the parent for ques on your action if they don't do something themselves. You really want the parents involved. The best thing you can do is ask the parent what issues the child has so you can modify the show accordingly. Keep an eye on the parents and follow their cues. |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
^Thank you for sharing this, especially since you have experience with the issue.
You mentioned diet. I have heard some autistic parents say that putting their child on a strict diet (no sugar, etc.) can make big difference in the degree of their issue's. In your opinion is there any truth to that?
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Nick W Special user 515 Posts |
No loud bangs or pops from anything. sudden loud noises can trigger reactions...
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KC Cameron Inner circle Raleigh, North Carolina 1944 Posts |
Most autistic kids put themselves on a strict diet. For years my son would only eat cheese pizza and a cheap chicken nugget. Anything else would come back up AND he would make a MAJOR scene. Thankfully we finally got him to widen his diet some, but it still is limited. Nothing quite like being in a restaurant, and having a kid crying, screaming and fighting - then spewing his food over everything and everyone.
As for keeping them off sugar, wouldn't that be a good idea for all of us? Diet makes a big difference with all of us, and sugar, gluten and, lactose, as well as all the different chemicals in our food, I believe have a profound effect on everyone. So yes, I think a strict diet is important, but sometimes it is impossible if we want our kids to eat. Thankfully for us, Aidan has never been a fan of sugar. |
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I see Sesame Street is getting an Autistic Character named Julia to introduce Kids to the idea of Autism and how some of the symptoms might be expressed.
Here is a link to the 60 Min. segment. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/sesame-stree......o-tears/ -Mary Mowder |
jamiedoyle Special user Lafayette, IN 619 Posts |
What a great thread! I found that I had to be willing to adapt every routine to fit the audience and personality of the birthday child if he or she is autistic. They may want to help, but not come on "stage" or up front -- I need to be able have them help from their seat or wherever they are in the room.
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