Your input on chemistry experiments

[loveoforganic]

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I volunteer with an OT at an inpatient/outpatient hospital with a population aged 5-17. Diagnoses are variable, but there's a high incidence of MR, ODD/CD, ADHD, and sensory-seeking behavior. I suggested to the OT that, being a chemistry student, I could possibly use that knowledge to provide the kids with some unique entertainment (in the form of an experiment for them to carry out), while fulfilling their OT needs (fine motor skills, direction-following, attention to task, etc), and she was receptive to the idea.

My question for you all is this - do you feel there's anything about magically (chemically) producing physical changes such as significant foam from liquids, a powder and liquid combining to form a goo, etc. that could not go over well with the kids? A lot of them just don't understand the way things work, either through cognitive deficit or through lack of experience due to being an inpatient or underprivileged outpatient. I don't know all of the kids' diagnoses, but I know at least one is schizoaffective. Do you feel they would have an ok response to these things? Should I consult their physician?

Thanks.

Edit: If it helps, these are some of the experiments I'm considering

For the younger kids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48-DU0kQtPg&feature=fvw
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr72CHwpdH4 (note: can be done without dry ice)

For the older kids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezsur0L0L1c

 

[OldPsychDoc]

Sounds ok to me.

 

[surftheiop]

I volunteer with an OT at an inpatient/outpatient hospital with a population aged 5-17. Diagnoses are variable, but there's a high incidence of MR, ODD/CD, ADHD, and sensory-seeking behavior. I suggested to the OT that, being a chemistry student, I could possibly use that knowledge to provide the kids with some unique entertainment (in the form of an experiment for them to carry out), while fulfilling their OT needs (fine motor skills, direction-following, attention to task, etc), and she was receptive to the idea.

My question for you all is this - do you feel there's anything about magically (chemically) producing physical changes such as significant foam from liquids, a powder and liquid combining to form a goo, etc. that could not go over well with the kids? A lot of them just don't understand the way things work, either through cognitive deficit or through lack of experience due to being an inpatient or underprivileged outpatient. I don't know all of the kids' diagnoses, but I know at least one is schizoaffective. Do you feel they would have an ok response to these things? Should I consult their physician?

Thanks.

Edit: If it helps, these are some of the experiments I'm considering

For the younger kids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48-DU0kQtPg&feature=fvw
or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr72CHwpdH4 (note: can be done without dry ice)

For the older kids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezsur0L0L1c

I've done alot of entertaining of kids in that age range (not hospitalized but I assume they would be amused by similar things)

Good idea, chemistry demos are fun.

Im not sure how amused kids would be with the floating bubbles, doesnt seem very exciting i bet they would rather just blow normal bubbles.

The slime is a really good idea, you might want to try to find the cornstarch based recipe (essentially just makes a really viscous non-newtonian liquid) in case they start trying to eat it or something. Although the borax version is much less messy so i guess both have plusses.

The elephant toothpaste looks fun, is it non-toxic though?

If your looking to do a demo the oscillating clock reaction would likely be really impressive to the older kids. (I first saw it in middle school and I was convinced guy had magic powers,then again i was/am a huge nerd so not sure if this would amuse others).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YIhTn-GY3c&feature=related

 

[loveoforganic]

Thanks opd, good to hear.

surf - I'm actually not trying to setup a demo, but experiments the kids themselves could carryout. While the demo would be interesting (probably 😛), it wouldn't really fit into their OT needs. Cornstarch for the goo is a good idea; forgot they had a version using that instead of borax. The elephant toothpaste has some good parts and bad parts. One component is 30% hydrogen peroxide, which does burn/bleach the skin somewhat, so it's a step I'd have to do myself. The bubbles formed are nothing but dishsoap + O2, so they're nontoxic. However, I'm told they can be quite hot, and I've yet to carry it out myself to see just how hot quite hot is.

Oscillating clock is very awesome and is part of a demo I hope to carry out for some middle schoolers / junior high kids this coming year 🙂 Then again, I'm a nerd too, so hopefully they find it enjoyable

 

[watto]

There are some tactics used in cognitive behavioral therapy that try to get the patient to look at their problem as an experiment, and to use the scientific method to engage problem-solving skills. Highlighting aspects of the scientific method in kids with evolving cerebral cortices is probably a good idea in and of itself!

 

[whopper]

Depends on what you're working with, and the severity of the children. Some chemicals as you already know are dangerous, and some of these children may play around with the chemicals.

I figure it can provide 2 benefits. Seeing chemicals interact can be fun--like magic. The other benefit is it may provide these children with education in a modality other than just reading.

Should I consult their physician?

Difficult to answer. Obviously, public schools need to have certain safety regulations in allowing students to work in a lab. I'm sure there'd be issues here that don't need the doctor involved that are more on that order. Further, and this is unfortunate, there is not much data on this from a medical perspective. Remember, our field is more about treating the adverse symptoms of some of these disorders, and not so much on the direct education. I'm sure however that there is data on teaching in different modalities in education/psychological research. If any child psychiatrists want to counter my post (Since I'm not a child psychiatrist)--since their level of training in this area is more than mine, feel free.

 

[loveoforganic]

Thank you for your replies.

Further, and this is unfortunate, there is not much data on this from a medical perspective. Remember, our field is more about treating the adverse symptoms of some of these disorders, and not so much on the direct education. I'm sure however that there is data on teaching in different modalities in education/psychological research.

Could you clarify what prompted you to say this / what you wanted me to get out of it?

 

[whopper]

Sure.

We doctors are supposed to use a medical/scientific model in our decision making. I have not seen any studies on this specific issue, and if there are any, its not part of a typical medical/psychiatric education.

Kinda like asking me if telling kids there truly is not a Santa Claus, how would that affect them? I really don't know. Yes--my education would give me more insight than the usual guy, but I haven't exactly studied the effect myself nor seen any studies.

There's a difference between an educated mind giving speculation, and stating data from controlled studies & strong clinical experience.

 

[loveoforganic]

Got ya, thanks. Wasn't sure if you were misunderstanding what I was seeking to do or answering one of my questions.