Facilitation Technique Category: Therapeutic Use of Magic

Activity Title: Therapeutic Magic Tricks

Source: Dattilo, John, & McKenney, Alexis, (2016).Therapeutic Use of Magic.
Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation. (pp. 439-454). State College, PA:
Venture Publishing
Equipment: Rubber band, potato, drinking glass, water, and straw
Activity Description: 1. Jumping Rubber Band Trick- The therapist/magician
will communicate to the participant that they are able to make a rubber band jump
from their ring finger to their forefinger. The therapist should hold up hand with all
five gingers showing and facing the audience. Then, place the rubber band over the
index and middle fingers. While it remains around your hand, pull the rubber band
away from the hand and show audience both sides of the hand. Now the back of the
hand should be facing the audience, while the palm faces the therapist. Fold all four
finger tips under the inside of the rubber band, while folding the fingers toward the
palm of the hand. Carefully release the rubber band against fingertips, which should
leave it resting just under finger nail. Last, open the hand and the rubber band
should have jumped from index and middle fingers to the ring and pinky fingers. 2.
Drink the Water Trick- The therapist will place a glass of water on the palm of an
outstretched hand. Next, the client is instructed to grip their right arm with both
hands. The therapist then explains to the client that, despite their effort to hold
down the therapists arm, they can still lift the glass to their mouth and drink the
water. This will motivate the client to tighten the grip they have on the therapists
outstretched arm. As soon as this occurs, the therapist reaches out with the
unoccupied left hand, lifts the glass from the right palm up to their mouth, and
drinks the water. 3. Potato & Straw Trick- The participant is given a straw and a
potato and instructed to push the straw into the potato. The client will attempt this
but will not succeed. Then the therapist will attempt to do the same thing. The
therapist folds over one end of the straw, grips it in their hand, takes the other end
of the straw and pushes it into the potato. The reason for the change is that air is
compressed in the straw when the end of the straw is folded, therefore, the straw
will be strong enough to penetrate the potato (Frey, 39).
Leadership Considerations: Counselors, psychologists, child life specialist,
pediatric nurses, and clinical social workers are often recommended for oversight of
these activities. Patients are typically evaluated by an occupational therapist or
someone with equal experience to determine their needs. Patients then and work
with a specially trained magician to learn simple magic tricks aimed to help achieve
improved motor, cognitive, perceptual, and/or mental health goals. A nurse may
accompany the magician to introduce him or her to a patient who may become
anxious when an unknown person enters their room. Frequently, nurses inform their
patients in advance about the upcoming visit from the magician so the patient can
anticipate a pleasurable event (Hart, 12).

Adaptations: ADHD: The tricks provide the client with insights about creative
problem-solving and the possibilities of changing behavior. Patients in the program
have demonstrated increased concentration and improved motor, cognitive, and
perceptual capabilities. Useful multisensory tool that often increases the motivation
and attention span of many students with special needs. Helpful for children who
are resistant to becoming engaged in the therapeutic process (Dattilo, 442).
Bipolar Disorder: For individuals with Bipolar Disorder, specifically adolescents,
therapeutic magic serves as an outlet for self-expression, self-identity, and
appropriate communication, even with non-verbal participants. It is often used to
capture their attention. In a group activity, participants often learn a magic trick and
perform it for the group encouraging more appropriate social interaction,
developing assertiveness, enhance communication and problem solving skills
(Healing of Magic). As mentioned on the site, magic therapy improves concentration
and task follow-through; problem-solving; perceptual skills in spatial relation and
form constancy; self-efficacy and self-esteem; improve mood and appropriateness of
affect; and frustration tolerance (Healing of Magic).
Adaptation References:
Dattilo, John, & McKenney, Alexis, (2016).Therapeutic Use of Magic. Facilitation
Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation. (pp. 439-454). State College, PA: Venture
Publishing
Hart, Robyn & Walton, Michael (2010). Magic as a Therapeutic Intervention to
Promote Coping in Hospitalized Pediatric Patients. Continuing Nursing Education,
(36)1, 11-16.
Magic & Behavioral Disorders. (2014). Healing of Magic
Retrieved from http://www.magictherapy.com/therapists/magic-and-behavioraldisorders/
Frey, Diane, (2008). Therapeutic Magic Tricks. Assessment & Treatment Activities for
Children, Adolescents, and Families, (1), 39.
http://www.lianalowenstein.com/e-booklet.pdf