New App Created to Increase Self-Esteem and Productivity for Millions of ADHD Kids and Families

WHO: 4 Million of US Children Who Have ADHD
WHAT: New Task-Focused, Life-Management Solution for ADHD Families Created Called iGotThis
WHEN: March 6th to April 6th Kickstarter Campaign
WHY: It’s no wonder that kids with ADHD are more likely to have low self-esteem – sometimes pathologically low. Repeated failures wear away self-esteem, as does being told that something is “wrong” with you. The truth is that ADHD is simply a byproduct of being extraordinary, but their kids are judged by the expectations of an ordinary world.
iGotThis turns the tables on self-esteem and productivity issues with these extraordinary kids. It is a task-focused, life-management solution uniquely designed for ADHD families that builds self-esteem by ensuring repeated success. It’s loaded with features to keep kids with ADHD on track, focused, and motivated - all while providing real-time visibility and complete control for parents. It provides:
- Repeated successes with its unique failsafe reminder system
- Motivation through a customizable rewards feature
- Positive reinforcement with game dynamics
- Inspirational Messaging about ADHD
- Real-Time, remote oversight to parents
The solution also features web and mobile dashboards, location based reminders, comprehensive task customization, optional project tracking and checklists and planning wizards for parents. Easy to use walkthroughs and video tutorials help everyone get the most of the solution from the first day.
But iGotThis is more than an app- it’s also a community and a mission. iGotThis provides forums and resources that let users share, teach and learn, support and be supported. As part of its mission, iGotThis is providing public outreach to change the way the world views ADHD and those extraordinary people who have it.
It’s so important to build self-confidence and remind those children that ADHD is not a deficiency, it’s a gift. iGotThis helps them learn valuable skills and creates habits that will help them succeed, and build their self-esteem so they can one day have the confidence to enter the world as adults.
Back the project on the Kickstarter page between March 6th and April 6th to help fund finishing the app and you will become one of the “Founding Families” of iGotThis. These families will enjoy lower prices, additional rewards, privileges and recognition.
Users will sign up at the iGotThis.com web site and the app will be available to download in the Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) App Store and the Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) Play store upon release.
Texas A&M research shows standing desks lead to improved BMI
(COLLEGE STATION, Texas) — Texas A&M researchers have shown, for the first time, evidence that standing desks in classrooms can slow the increase in elementary school children’s body mass index (BMI)—a key indicator of obesity—by an average of 5.24 percentile points. The research was published today in the American Journal of Public Health.
“Research around the world has shown that standing desks are positive for the teachers in terms of classroom management and student engagement, as well as positive for the children for their health, cognitive functioning and academic achievement,” said Mark Benden, PhD, CPE, an associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at the Texas A&M School of Public Health and an author of the study. “It’s literally a win-win, and now we have hard data that shows it is beneficial for weight control.”
Twenty-four classrooms at three elementary schools (eight in each of the three schools) in College Station, Texas, participated in the study. At each school, four classrooms were outfitted with stand-biased desks (which allow students to sit on a stool or stand at will) and four classrooms in each school acted as a control and utilized standard classroom desks. The researchers followed the same students—193 in all—from the beginning of third grade to the end of fourth grade.
The researchers found that the students who had the stand-biased desks for both years averaged a three percent drop in BMI while those in traditional desks showed the two percent increase typically associated with getting older. However, even those who spent just one year in classrooms with stand-biased desks had lower mean BMIs than those students in traditional seated classrooms for their third and fourth grade years. In addition, there weren’t major differences between boys and girls, or between students of different races, suggesting that this intervention works across demographic groups.
“Classrooms with stand-biased desks are part of what we call an Activity Permissive Learning Environment (APLE), which means that teachers don’t tell children to ‘sit down,’ or ‘sit still’ during class,” Benden said. “Instead, these types of desks encourage the students to move instead of being forced to sit in poorly fitting, hard plastic chairs for six or seven hours of their day.”
Previous studies from Benden’s lab have shown that children who stand burn 15 percent more calories, on average, than those who sit in class, but this is the first study showing, over two years, that BMI decreases over time (versus controls) when using a stand-biased desk.
“It is challenging to just measure weight loss with children,” Benden said, “because children are supposed to be gaining weight as they get older and taller.”
At the beginning of this study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), roughly 79 percent of the students were of normal weight category, 12 percent were overweight and nine percent were obese, according to height and weight measurements made by the researchers. These are better numbers than nationally, where 14.9 percent of children were overweight and 16.9 percent were obese in 2012. The fact that the students who started at a healthy weight benefited from stand-biased desks as much as they did might indicate that these desks help students who aren’t overweight maintain their BMI, while at the same time help those who start out overweight or obese get to a healthier weight.
These desks, designed by Benden and his team, are called stand-biased, not “standing” because they do include a tall stool the students can perch on if they so choose. They also include a footrest, a vital feature because it allows children to get their lower backs out of tension and reduce leg fatigue to stand more comfortably over time. These United States-patented desk designs are now licensed to Stand2Learn, which has commercialized the products through translational research focused on moving university studies to publicly available solutions.
“Sit less, move more,” Benden said. “That’s our message.”
The coming holiday season is a joy
ful time of year that brings together families and friends. However, it can also be quite stressful – especially for those who have a child with autism.
With that in mind, FirstPath Autism http://www.firstpathautism.com would like to offer up tips to help handle everything from holiday party meltdowns to stress that can arise from schedule changes and holiday travels. While compiled for those with an autistic child in their lives, many of the tips work just as well for all families.
SCHEDULE CHANGES AND TRAVEL
1. Prepare for changes in home and school routines.
The holidays mean that your family’s usual routine shifts, and that causes disruption for everyone, including your child. Much as children may look forward to the season of celebrations, they may not understand that it involves trade-offs too. For example, having a holiday pageant at school may mean that their favorite art class is cancelled for the day. Be sure to discuss these changes with your child ahead of time. Your child may not infer that the pageant means that art class won’t happen as usual.
2. Assess sugar impact and decide what’s reasonable.
The holidays often mean different foods and lots of seasonal treats. Find a balance between prudence and fun. Unless food allergies or confirmed intolerances are involved, consider allowing your child space to eat some special-occasion treats. Popcorn, cinnamon-baked apples, and trail mix are perennial winter favorites for kids who need to avoid certain food products or additives.
3. Be mindful of sensory issues.
The holidays mean plenty of flashing lights, decorations, and music. Festive celebration can be challenging for individuals with autism and sensory processing disorder. Consider having your child help you either pick out decorations for the house or have him/her help you with decorating and preparing.
4. Ease into traveling and change.
If you will be traveling to see family and friends, prepare your child for what the experience will be like. To help ease your child into the trip, you may want to bring along any special foods needed and a favorite object. If you’re flying, check with the TSA regarding any rules that may apply and consider reaching out to the airline in advance. Let them know you’ll be traveling with a child with autism and include any special information that might be helpful.
5. If the traditions don’t fit, make your own!
Most of us start thinking in terms of tradition when the holidays approach. Given this, it’s easy to get caught up in how things are “supposed” to be. Holidays can include baking cookies, making gingerbread houses, and/or gathering with families and friends. But what if your child refuses to bake, is terrified of carollers, or wants to go to bed early? Remember that, as a parent, you get to do what works for you and your family. In this time of joy and closeness, go easy on yourself by letting go of comparisons, shoulds, and “What will the extended family think?” Embrace the reality of your own household, and most of all, have fun!
HOLIDAY PARTY MELTDOWNS
Picture this: You and your family have made it to your favorite annual party. Everyone’s having a great time … that is, until your child with autism gets completely overwhelmed by the festivities.
You tried to redirect her attention, but it didn’t work.
What’s your next move?
Meltdown Prevention 101
Our initial recommendation is that you do what you can to prevent a meltdown prior to its inception. Remember that behavior is learned, and that what you model during calm moments will influence what happens during stressful ones.
If you take time to teach your child appropriate self-management strategies, he or she will have a much better chance of maintaining their emotional control in difficult situations.
For example, you can:
• Remind your child of the appropriate behavior and associated reward
• Employ social stories and role-playing exercises to educate about appropriate behavior
• Prompt the identification and verbal expression of feeling states
• Review deep breathing techniques
• Use adaptive equipment to provide calming pressure or lessen the experience of sensory overload
Child psychologist Lauren Elder, Autism Speaks assistant director for dissemination science, speaks to this question in Parents of Child with Autism Seeking Help Handling Public Meltdowns. https://www.autismspeaks.org/blog/2013/12/20/parents-child-autism-seek-help-handling-public-meltdownsElder suggests the following essential steps:
1. Stay calm
This might seem obvious to you now, but in the chaotic moments surrounding a meltdown, it won’t seem so clear-cut. When your child is struggling, it’s easy to get swept away by frustration and panic, but the calmer you can remain in the crisis, the more effective you’ll be at helping your child. Take a moment to breathe and regain a sense of calm within yourself …. Your reaction is so important. You have the power to escalate or de-escalate the situation with your words, body language, and overall approach.
2. Stop and help your child
This might seem self-evident, but parents often try to manage their child’s behavior while simultaneously working, eating, or conversing with other people? Some such parental juggling is inevitable, and even the best parents need to divide their attention at times. However, make sure that you don’t do this during a meltdown. If your child is truly out of control, you need to be fully present and attentive to what’s happening around you. Otherwise, their physical and emotional well-being is put at risk.
However, giving your full attention doesn’t mean lecturing, bargaining, or disciplining. If your child is having a true meltdown, she is in a panicked, fight-or-flight state. As such, she won’t be able to engage in new learning.
In addition, be sure not to give in to any request or demand that directly preceded the meltdown. Doing so reinforces the idea that meltdowns yield positive results, and that’s not what you want to teach!
Rather than shouting, correcting, or rewarding negative behavior, simply prioritize safety. You can work on teaching once your child has regained equilibrium.
You can also reduce stimulation levels. This may mean a quick move to a quieter, more private space. If that’s not a possibility, you can stay put and lower lights, block excess noise, and disperse a crowd if one has gathered. Which brings us to our final point …
3. Tell bystanders what you need them to do
One of the most difficult elements of a public meltdown is … the public. Even if you’re at a party where the guests know and love your child, it’s still stressful to have him melt down. That said, you can take this potential frustration and turn it around. If you’re concerned about communicating with bystanders, try talking to friends and family members ahead of time about what to expect should your child lose control.
You might consider carrying cards to hand to strangers if it helps to explain the situation. But if you’re surrounded by close friends and family, it may be easier to simply plan ahead and ask for what you need (be it space or support) in advance.
Finally, after a meltdown ends, make sure to take time to recuperate before re-entering the party. You both need to take pause and rest before getting back on your feet.
Want more guidance on this topic? These 10 Tips for Managing a Meltdown, with specific guidance from Amalie D. Holly, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst on the FirstPath Autism team can help further. http://info.firstpathautism.com/meltdown-guide-parents
Tips courtesy of FirstPath Autism:
FirstPath Autism is an organization dedicated to the education, training, and awareness of evidence-based autism treatment developed by the Founder, Romina Kiryakous at the Genesis Behavior Center in Turlock, CA. The treatment practiced at Genesis is based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the most widely covered treatment for autism by insurance companies. In 2015, Kiryakous developed FirstPath Autism, a personalized online education, support, and training program dedicated to the parents and caregivers of children with autism. The goal of FirstPath Autism is to offer an autism lifeline to parents and to help care givers better serve children with autism.
Check Out All of The RBC Run For The Kids Ambassadors
Can you spot me? Im excited to be an Ambassador for the RBC Run For The Kids! Have you registered? There is a 5km, 7km, and 15km. I am running the 15km! Challenge yourself and raise awareness.

Proud to announce that I have been selected as a 2015 @rbcrun4thekids ambassador. Follow me as I raise awareness on my passion for running and youth mental health. Give them a follow and register for a 5km, 7km and 15km run! #toronto #rbc #rbcrun4thekids #running #ambassador
Click the link below for more information:
http://support.rbcrunforthekids.ca/site/PageServer?pagename=RFTK15_home

Reebok launches Kids ATV19 shoes
Colourful footwear collection is designed for
play on all terrains
Toronto, ON – Leading fitness brand Reebok today unveiled its new line of ATV19 footwear for kids. Whether children want to run on pavement, climb on rocks, or play in the mud, Reebok has created the perfect shoe in its ATV19, which allows them to carry on playing whatever the conditions. Brand new to the Reebok Kids Fall/Winter 2013 collection, the ATV19 has 19 unique, colourful pods on the sole each designed with a rubber outsole to give kids added grip and traction while playing.
Having already established itself in the kids sport footwear market through its RealFlex and ZigTech offerings, Reebok is extending its kids offering with the ATV19 collection by giving kids a shoe that adapts to whatever surface they are playing on. Inspired by the tread of an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), each pod on the ATV19 is strategically positioned to cushion the foot, provide traction when moving and be durable for all environments.
“At Reebok, we wanted to create a shoe that was not only practical, but also fun for kids to play in,” said Stewart Clark, Reebok Brand Leader. “Reebok understands that children don’t move to keep fit, they are active because it’s enjoyable. This is why we created the ATV19 as it allows kids to keep on having fun no matter where they are.”

Reebok hosted a playful event held at Toronto City Sports Centre to launch the new line which presented attending kids with the opportunity to try on the brightly coloured shoes as they went through Reebok’s ATV19 Obstacle Course.
Reebok’s ATV19 Obstacle Course was led by Jackie Clark, owner and general manager atFirePower Kids, a kids-focused fitness facility in Milton, Ontario, whose mission is to build a community of fitness through entertaining and unique programming, including CrossFit Kids and Circus fitness. Clark led the preschoolers and grade-schoolers through basic exercises that not only allowed them to experience the Reebok ATV19 on varied surfaces and through different activities, but to also learn about the importance of fitness at a young age.
Available in stores and online now, the ATV19 footwear for kids has bright pops of colour and unique shapes, making it ideal for the active child. The look, feel and technology are designed so that kids’ imaginations are opened up to the endless possibilities the shoe gives them.
Reebok Kids ATV19 footwear is available at Foot Locker, Sears, Sport Chek and through www.Reebok.ca at $75 for grade school sizes and $65 for preschool sizes.

Reebok is dedicated to empowering people to be fit for life, including kids. Reebok wants to inspire people to get moving and is passionate about helping kids lead a healthy and active lifestyle.
Website: Reebok.ca
Twitter: @ReebokCanada, #ReebokATV19
Facebook: Reebok
YouTube: Reebok