The product mentioned below was sent to us free of charge for testing purposes
Having two children with ADHD guarantees never a dull moment. My son and daughter are total opposites and get on each other nerves a hundred times a day. The school brings a whole other set of issues – forgotten homework, unfinished classwork, misbehaving, and lots of anger and tears.
Can Touchpoints Help with ADHD?
What do you do when you have lots of questions, but not too many answers? You start researching! You browse hundreds of pages, listen to dozens of podcasts, and you always consider the new products that are hitting the market.
TOUCHPOINTS
While researching I came across a company that ran a Kickstarter campaign in 2016 with a roaring success raising 500% of the initial goal for a product that helps with stress, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms – how would this not interest me? I contacted the company a few months ago as I wanted to learn more about it and they responded very quickly offering us to test drive their product. We have been actively using it with my kids since April and finally are ready to share our experience and answer some questions before you actually ask them. TouchPoints are now running another campaign for a similar product, so I will refer to two different models of TouchPoints in this article.
This is what I read that I thought was interesting
Parents have reported that there are many conditions which have been helped by TouchPoints™. Those with Autism share that TouchPoints™ help with sensory processing disorder by addressing the underlying stress. Individuals with ADHD share that their attention and focus improve significantly and that they find it easier to focus on homework or during school exams with use.
From the outside
My kids clip these on their pants or t-shirts. When on, you can see the green light and they buzz. The Original model requires a Bluetooth connection to a smartphone App and will let you pick one of six presets – Anger, Sleep, Focus, Performance, Cravings, and Calm.
The new model Touchpoints Basic is on the Indiegogo right now and has already hit 600% of the initial goal, designed to work on its own (without an app) in three different settings – slow, medium, and fast by pressing the button.
From the inside
These units use Neuroscience to change the way your body responds to the environment. TouchPoints use bilateral stimulation delivered in tactile form. The key part is the “bilateral” aspect. By placing TouchPoints on the two different sides of your body, the vibrations they emit stimulate both hemispheres of your brain in an alternating pattern. This stimulus reroutes your brain’s fight, flight, or freeze response, preventing the body from moving into a state of intense stress.
My Personal experience
One of my kids is hyperactive and the other one is inattentive. My son has a hard time slowing down and falling asleep. My daughter is usually very laid back, yet quickly gets angry with a hyperactive sibling. She also has a very hard time concentrating in class.
Both of my kids felt that the TouchPoints feels funny because they tickle at first, but after a while, they stopped paying attention to the units. Since I only had one set of unit, I would let my kids take turns and wear them each 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes at night.
Touchpoint is not a miracle. It will not make ADHD disappear. However, you will see the difference over time.
Every night my son would take hours to fall asleep. He would sneak an iPad into his bed to play, he would insist that he needed music and TV to fall asleep… and, of course, he would have a hard time getting up in the morning. A quarter of Melatonin pill did the trick and the boy would be asleep quick, but HE HATED TAKING THEM! According to him, he didn’t like how it made him sleep. That’s when we decided to try TouchPoints. Today, if you offer him Melatonin or TouchPoints, he will take TouchPoints any day of the week. According to him, he likes HOW he feels asleep now – it seems more of a natural transition.
I wasn’t sure how I will see my daughter’s progress in school, as she has no problems getting her homework done, yet has a very hard time concentrating and completing her classroom tasks. A month after we started using TouchPoints I had a conversation with her math teacher and mentioned that I was trying something new. She replied that she has noticed my girl been more focused in class. I am looking forward to the next school year to see her get better at managing her projects with less stress.
Probably the best results I have seen with the TouchPoints was when my daughter was upset crying because she was angry with her brother. As soon as the units started buzzing she started feeling less anxious, stopped crying and was able to have a decent conversation.
How do I use it?
The original model needs a smartphone to start working, but once the preset is launched the phone is no longer needed. I put it on one of the kids for thirty minutes and make them switch 30 minutes later since I only have one set of the TouchPoints. We do it again in the evening. I do not send the units to school as I am afraid they will lose them. Besides that, the buzzing is a bit on a loud side.
The new basic model TouchPoints promises to be quieter and can be used in public places without attracting too much attention
Have I tried it myself?
I have used Touchpoints at work. I am not a rocket scientist, but my work consists of deadlines and requires concentration. I feel that the performance setting helps me to keep my distractions to a minimum.
Is it only for ADHD?
As I mentioned before, Touchpoints don’t cure ADHD, but it helps kids with ADHD to be less stressed and put more energy onto productivity. However, anyone who has to deal with stress will benefit from these.
More Tips for Parenting ADHD:
The Art of Picking ADHD Friendly Sports
What an interesting product. I think the fact your kids are responding so well to it says a LOT!!!!
I have a daughter with ADHD and she is on the spectrum. I wonder if this would work for her. She gets angry at her siblings all the time.
This sounds like something that could really benefit autistic children. I have a friend who’s child has autism, and they have to do all sorts of things to help him maintain his focus. It can be a real challenge.
ADD and hyperactivity can be difficult things to tackle for parents AND kids. These touch points sound like a great way to at least help make it a little easier to stay on task.
I’ve never heard of this. I am going to have to dig deeper into this because if it works I know a lot of people in my family that I could help.
This is so interesting. I’ve never heard of this but this fascinates me. Thanks for sharing.
I had actually never heard of this kickstarter but it does seem mighty interesting. Seeing the response rate to these, the touchpoints could be very beneficial for kids with ADHD and autism.
As a parent, I can imagine ADHD is so difficult. I think anything that could help is worth trying!
What a great device. I’ve never heard of Touchpoints, but as some one who used to work with children, this is really encouraging, that they are finally making devices to help kids be kids.
What a neat way to help kids. It can be so simple to make such a significant difference in a kid’s day.
What an interesting way to help with ADHD without medication. I think this would be perfect for my daughter.
Touchpoints definitely sound intriguing! I know so many families who have kids that struggle with ADHD. I’m totally passing this information along to see if it can help.
This is interesting! I’ve never heard touchpoints before but it sounds amazing!
I am totally trying these. Seriously. I feel a little lost lately with the kids and feel as though they are so stressed out and we all need to calm the heck down. I am going to go and get some right now.