Best magic for disabled children

[Pete Pridanonda]

Hi Everybody, I have a really important question to ask all of you regarding the show that I will be doing at a camp for disabled children this coming Wednesday (just volunteering, not paid). I have a lot of magic in my repertoire but I'm having trouble deciding which one to use. Now, I perform close up magic for children many times before but I've never done it for disabled children so I figured this will be a great experience for me as well as being able to let me connect with different types of children.
These are the tricks that I have in mind, if any of you has anything to add please let me know:
Back in time triumph
Haunted deck using loops
Watermark
Extreme Burn
5 and 1 transpo
Crazy Man's handcuffs
Anniversary Waltz
ACR
Humming Bird Card
So my question is, do you think these effects are suitable for disabled children and are there any other effects that I should add? Also, some advice for performing for disabled children would be greatly appreciated; how I should act, talk, speed etc..
Thank you in advance everybody.

 

[Magicman4131]

I havent performed for disabled children, but based on my experience with other kid shows I have some advice. I would avoid card tricks by all means. Young kids have trouble following card tricks, and since they are disabled they probably would be even more confused. I do think they would love the hummer card and any other levitating effect like floating dollar. If you have time I would recommend learning a sponge balls or D'Lite routine.

As for the performance, you need to go SLOW and remember to smile ! Also let the kids get involved in any way possible.

 

[danielmontagne]

that's right, card tricks are difficult to children, wayne houchin's french kiss works well, or bigger finish by jay sankey, take a look at Chris Capeheart dvd he does a great card routine for children

 

[Zenn_Darkfire]

Send me a PM. I have 3 gigs this summer for Special Needs adults, I'll help ya out. Children's shows and special needs shows are my specialty

 

[RealityOne]

Are the children physically disabled, mentally disabled or a combination of both? I think that could make a difference in what you perform.

 

[Pete Pridanonda]

Some are only physically and some are only mentally disabled, but about 75% are both mentally and physically disabled. The ages ranges from 7-19 years old, I'm trying to avoid effects that requires someone to memorize something but rather have a more visual aspect to it.

 

[RealityOne]

In suspect that Zenn will help you get where you need to be. My advice is to avoid cards and select effects that have clear plots. Keep your patter simple, but make sure you don't come across as talking down to the audience.

 

[RickEverhart]

I've done two shows for people exactly how you are describing. I kept things very simple and used rope, spongeballs, silks with a Thumb Tip, Square Circle, Rising Card Deck, Traffic Light Cards, etc. Mainly effects that do not require more than 30 seconds to 1 minute of attention. Do not get into long drawn out card plots.

Get people involved and laughing and having a great time! This is huge. Let THEM be the STAR...not you. There needs to be lots of clapping and excitement. People want to be happy and having fun.