SticKids Introduction
STICKIDS™
SticKids™ is an interactive software program designed to support children with sensory processing difficulties and challenges. It can be particularly helpful for children with autism and ADHD.
Early intervention is an essential step in helping children with sensory processing difficulties. These children face particular challenges with developmental milestones, and SticKids is specifically designed to help them develop and enhance their levels of alertness in positive, engaging ways. It is a highly effective, proven program using interactive, sensory-based activities to support the teaching process and reinforce desired outcomes.
When SticKids is combined with the SticKids accessories, it is a powerful new way to interact with children and improve their ability to reach their full potential every day.
SticKids resources are available in several versions, designed and adapted specifically for therapists, teachers, or parents. For example, there is a world exclusive start-up package and single-user license for therapists. It includes the software, postcards, magnets, key rings and other accessories to make learning fun and effective.
The material for all SticKids’ products incorporates a variety of CDs, stickers, postcards, magnets, books and diagrams to help teach children about self regulation, concentration and other aspects of healthy development. Comprehensive software packages, instructions and activities are designed to make learning entertaining and successful.
‘Critter meter magnets’ are just one example of the colourful, creative tools available to engage the entire family in the teaching process. They continually reinforce the importance of maintaining the most appropriate level of arousal and concentration by including activities in every aspect of daily life. The ‘Critter meter postcards’ are another great example of accessories that enhance the learning process. These unique postcards include diagrams that help teach children, teachers, and parents about self-regulation and general concentration skills.
The program was developed by Meryle Lehn, a Canadian occupational therapist with SIPT (Sensory Integration & Praxis Test) certification. SticKids is suitable for all ages, from toddlers to teens, and for those with mild to severe developmental challenges. It can be used as an individual resource or in a classroom or group setting. An interactive toolkit of CDs, books, charts, and other visual aids makes learning fun and effective.
Everything from SticKids™ to Critter Meters can be found here on LifeSkills4Kids.com.au
Visit our specialised SticKids™ website and test drive this great program!
STICKIDS is an interactive software program developed by a Canadian occupational therapist with SIPT (Sensory Integration & Praxis Test) certification. It is an easy-to-use program where parents, teachers and therapists can structure activities to help children maintain a “just right” level of alertness, to be able to concentrate and attend to tasks at home and school.
The program is based around a simple diagram called a “crittermeter” which has six colour segments and three icons, which indicate the level of arousal or the “speed” that kids are.
For example, * the TURTLE icon identifies a child who is “under alert”, who cannot rouse himself enough to be able to concentrate; * the RABBIT icon identifies a child who is “over alert” or over active (such as the child who has ADHD); * and the HAPPY SticKid icon in the middle is “just right”, and able to participate in the activity he needs to (such as sitting and listening to a story).
Each of the colours around the crittermeter is linked to a selection of activities, which helps to change the level of alertness and increases children’s level of concentration and attention. For example, using deep pressure/ touch and retreat activities (blue sections), can help overactive and overstimulated children to calm, centre and be relaxed (be more like a TURTLE; whereas motion activities (red section) increase children’s level of alertness (become more like a RABBIT).
WHO CAN THIS PROGRAM HELP?
SticKids is designed to help support most children. Children may struggle with concentration and attention, mild sensory sensitivities, or more complex sensory integration and sensory processing needs.
It has helped numerous children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADD, ADHD as well as children who simply struggle to concentrate.
Children with these challenges can have highly tuned, or atypical processing of sensory information from external factors such as touch, vision, smell, taste and sound; as well as the internal senses of muscle and joints, motion, balance and touch registration.
Atypical processing may show as: Either excessive seeking or avoiding of sensory input in daily events; Emotional sensitivity, meltdowns, or need for retreat; Difficulty with focus, arousal, and self-regulation to everyday tasks; Reduced quality in motor response (involving coordination, balance, tone, planning or sequencing), as the motor skill may have been based on misinterpretation of sensory information. This program is suitable for children from toddlers to teens and from mild to severely effected children. It may be used for a single child or for groups of children (such as in the classroom). Great for using in preschools and early intervention settings. STICKIDS comes in 2 versions: 1) Home n School Version – for use by parents and teachers. Home n School Version. 2) Therapist Version – allows for detailed customization related to therapeutic perspectives. Therapist Version.
