Mindfulness to support ADHD and Autism
Mindfulness can help increase focus, calm a busy brain and reduce symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Furthermore, practicing mindfulness exercises regularly can also help support children that suffer from anxiety, low self esteem, and other mental health issues.
The problem is, children find it difficult to practice mindfulness, especially if they have attention difficulties. It is difficult to sit still for a long period of time, it is difficult to be aware of your bodily sensations, and it is difficult to realise when your mind wanders off.
The good news is that it is possible to practice mindfulness at a young age - The key is to ensure they understand the tasks they are asked to do through appropriate language, and to make it relatable to their lives so they can use skills they learned in real life situations.
“The problem is, children find it difficult to practice mindfulness”
What are the benefits of mindfulness for children?
There have been numerous studies on the benefits of mindfulness for children.
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Improved attention and focus: Mindfulness practice can help children improve their attention and focus by increasing their awareness of distractions and training them to redirect their attention to the present moment.
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Reduced anxiety: Mindfulness practices can help children manage their emotions and reduce stress and anxiety.
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Improved social skills: Mindfulness can help children develop empathy, compassion, and self-awareness, which can improve their social skills and relationships with others.
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Improved sleep: Mindfulness practices can help children relax and fall asleep more easily, leading to better sleep quality and quantity.
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Improved emotional regulation: Mindfulness can help children regulate their emotions and respond more effectively to difficult situations.
Research on Autism and ADHD
A pilot study of 8 adolescents with ADHD who took part in a mindfulness course and showed significant improvements in inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, quality of life, and self-esteem.
Zylowska (2008)
Has Stix got any research to back it up?
A feasibility and acceptability pilot study was conducted in collaboration with Brunel University London’s Psychology researchers to determine the mental health benefits of Stix activities for children.
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86% of children found Stix to be helpful with their mood, worries and anxieties
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6 out of 7 children had a decrease in their anxiety and depression scores after using Stix
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100% of children found Stix to be fun and engaging
Overall, the Stix were well received by all children. The interactive aspect of the Stix; the lights, audio and vibrations, were enjoyed by the children and they stated it made practising mindfulness a lot more engaging. The mobile App also appealed to the children, especially winning stars and customising their monster.
How Stix supports children with ADHD and Autism
Mindfulness works, but it’s hard for kids to practise, that’s why at Stix we’ve designed our product to Make Mindfulness Fun, ensuring kids actually enjoy practising activities everyday that support their mental wellbeing.
Interactive - The Stix activities are interactive and movement based, with sensory feedback used to guide children through the audio instructions.
Gamification - Children are rewarded for practising mindfulness. Earn stars for each activity you play, and use your stars in the monster wardrobe to customise your mindful monster.
Transferable Skills - Whilst the activities are fun and interactive, each one teaches children a mindfulness technique and coping strategy that they can use in everyday situations. 100% of children that took part in a recent study said they used the skills learnt in Stix activities in everyday life.
