Magic Therapy Workshop: Using Magic Tricks in a Therapeutic Setting
March 11, 2023
8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Little Rock Marriott
3 Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, AR 72201
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Rehab Net invites you to Join Us for an outstanding workshop on March 11, 2023. This course is approved by both the APTA Arkansas and the American Occupational Therapy Association
Therapeutic Application of Magic Tricks in a Clinical Setting - Kevin Spencer, PhD
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Over the last decade, the medical field has witnessed the advancement of the arts as a therapeutic tool in physical and psychosocial rehabilitation. Robust scientific research supports the use of specific art disciplines to enhance client motivation and engagement as well as increase independence. But we’ve also witnessed how the arts can improve a variety of skills including cognition, motor skills, communication, social skills, and flexible thinking (creativity).
Magic Therapy – the implementation of a research-based protocol of simple magic tricks – is the newest of these techniques for therapists to add to their toolbox.
Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the therapeutic benefits of magic tricks in client treatment (cognitive, motor, perceptual, and social).
- Distinguish which clients are appropriate for this type of treatment modality.
- Evaluate and identify which magic trick(s) can be most beneficial to achieve a specific client goal.
- Create an individualized client-centered treatment program by analyzing and assessing the movements required to perform selected magic tricks.
- Verify how to appropriately document this technique for insurance reimbursement.
About the Instructor
Kevin Spencer, Ph.D. is a unique personality in the entertainment industry. He is an award- winning performing artist who, along with his wife and partner Cindy, toured the world for more than 25 years, with one of the largest and most successful theatrical illusion productions in the U.S. They left behind a trail of accolades in their wake including 2009 International Illusionists of the Year and six-time recipients of Performing Arts Entertainer of the Year. He is also the recipient of the magic industry’s most prestigious award given by The Milbourne Christopher Foundation – the 2015 International Illusionists of the Year for notable contributions to the art of magic.
At the pinnacle of their career, Spencer stepped away from the big stage and onto a small one found inside classrooms and hospitals. As an artist, educator, speaker, and researcher, he now works to create communities where everyone experiences an authentic sense of belonging and no one – for any reason – is relegated to the margins.
Dr. Spencer is the leading international authority on the academic and therapeutic benefits of simple magic tricks in educational and clinical settings. His work focuses on using the art of magic to impact change in the lives of children with autism, developmental disabilities, intellectual challenges, emotional disturbance, and those who have experienced trauma. He has published numerous studies in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of academic and healthcare.
Spencer’s program – Hocus Focus™ – is a 2022 Silver recipient for “Best Innovation” and Spencer himself is a Gold recipient for “Leader of the Year” awarded at the international Anthem Awards in May 2022, both in the category of Education, Art, and Culture. Spencer was also a 2022 finalist for the Zero Project Award which recognizes innovative persons, practices, and models that improve the daily lives of persons with disabilities.
In 2016, he produced a short documentary – Powerful Medicine: Simply Magic – that showcases individuals of varying abilities who, through the art of magic, have overcome physical, developmental, and intellectual challenges. The short has earned 18 international film festival awards including “Best Short Documentary” at the Hollywood Short Film Festival and the LA Movie Awards. It was also recognized with the International Humanitarian Platinum Award sponsored by the United Nations. It continues to inspire audiences around the world.
Dr. Spencer is a leading voice in the performing arts industry (recipient of the North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents - NAPAMA - Artist/Agent of the Year in 2021); a Fulbright Specialist on arts integration for special populations for the U.S. Department of State; faculty in the department of education at Carlow University in Pittsburgh; a research consultant for the School of Health Professions Department of Occupational Therapy and Institute for Arts in Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and an Approved Provider of Continuing Education for the American Occupational Therapy Association.
His speaking topics include Demystifying Disability, Overcoming Adversity, and the Impact of CPR (create-perform-reflect).
Dr. Kevin Spencer | Center 4 Creative Arts | KevinSpencerLive.com | [email protected]
Instructional level: Intermediate
Recommended audience: PTs, PTAs, OTRs, OTAs, STs, and STAs
Costs:
Rehab Net Members and Staff n/c unless you register and fail to attend or cancel in a timely manner, then your employer will be charged a $50 fee.
Non-Members - $179
This course is approved by both AOTA and APTA Arkansas for 6.0 contact hours
Rehab Net Refund Policy
Full refunds will be provided if you can cancel at least 10 business days before the course for any reason. Full refunds can be obtained up to 5 business days before a course if an emergency occurred. After these deadlines you will only receive 50% refund.
"Using magic as a therapeutic modality empowers therapists with an exciting new tool to help clients achieve function and measurable goals.”
Debbie M. Fisher, MS OTR/L CHT
Tickets
$0.00 Member Registration
$145.00 Non Member Registration
$49.00 Student Registration (PT/PTA/OT/OTA/ST/STA)
