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Hi I did my PhD on a web based CBT (patent granted) at a children’s hospital and now mom are using it for many issues.
Applications are large ranging from cancer support, needle issues, ADHD, Autism, bulling, relaxing and helping children to study etc.
You can see more information and references at the web site: www.AnimalAgentz.com
We recently had a stand at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital Research Open Day on Saturday, 9th May 2009.
We have support from UK and US medical professionals and are also working alongside a charity to enable children with a short life-span to have a high quality life (for free).
The National Autistic Society has listed us on their website as a resource for parents:
http://www.autism.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1404&a=13703
It is also been used by ADHD children (reference below).
Animal Agentz was highly praised and reviewed in The SNE “Special Educational Needs Magazine.” (May/June 2009) Issue.
"Typical children" have used it for anger and stress management as a relaxation tool. Schools are starting to use this to help children learn.
I have been interviewed about Animal Agentz on talkback radio in New Zealand and other media.
We have received tremendous support from the medical profession to include Dr Chris Steele MBE a well known TV personality family docotor from ITV's Morning Show,
The Animal Agentz could be a way of creating a gold standard for children's research.
Best wishes,
Mark
Appendix:
Introduction to web-based CBT for children:
I would like to tell you about an innovative and interactive web-based product for children, which enables them to better deal with anxiety
and stress. It is useful as a relaxation tool and has many
applications. It was first developed as a PhD and medical trials were
conducted at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London.
The individual Animal Agentz characters teach children coping skills which range from breathing to self-esteem techniques in stressful times such as first time flying e.g. "Bubbles" the fish can teach many
different breathing techniques to relax prior, during or after a stressful event.
In summary Animal Agentz teaches children a good set of skills to cope with stressful situations. Children are therefore better prepared to
face a variety of challenging life events.
It is successful as a relaxation and coping device and makes it ideal for dealing with children in stressful clinical situations e.g. when they are facing an injection, visit to a dentist, hospital or family doctor.
It is also useful in non-medical situations to help calm child down during school examinations, difficult meal times or when shopping and when the child may have a tantrum/naughty behavior, Animal Agentz can
help.
If we teach children positive coping skills while they are young, they will be better equipped as young adults to deal with negative issues in a more positive and informed manner.
How does Animal Agentz website work?
Animal Agentz is composed of five animal characters; a fish called
"Bubbles" a cat called "Yo-Yo" a dog called "Stretch" a monkey called
"Cheiko" and a lion called "Rory".
The individual Animal Agentz characters teach children coping skills which range from breathing to self-esteem techniques in stressful times such as first time flying e.g. "Bubbles" the fish can teach many different breathing techniques to relax prior, during or after a stressful event.
One mother said "If you say to a child 'relax' it means nothing but if you let your child play with Animal Agentz 'fish' (breathing skills) and then say to the child what did the fish do? I then found him
acting out the 'fish skills' and becoming relaxed!"
A good example was when my child had a tantrum/ naughty in a shop/school and I said "what does the fish do?" and my child started to breath like the fish skill and calmed down"!
When we recently conducted an independent trial of our product, we found parents had many more applications for which they used Animal
Agentz.
The Animal Agentz behaviours are as follows:
Breathing skills; taught by a fish
Stretching skills; taught by a dog
Distraction skills; taught by a cat
Guided imagery skills; taught by a monkey
Positive self statements; taught by a lion
The parents applied these behaviours in new ways to help their child.
Responses from independent research:
"This is perfect and what me and my family have been waiting years
for. My 9 yr old has A.D.H.D and presents behavioural difficulties.
His biological father rejected him a yr ago and this hasn't helped,
his self esteem is very low and finds making new friends very
stressful. The local social services tell me he needs therapy like
this but are unable to provide it! I am having to pay a private
therapist to help my son so when this comes in which I know would
benefit many parents that I email, talk to...
Great idea and very user friendly, fab idea and so much needed for the
21st century where many children face daily struggles with little or
no help and so they suffer. I am in 100% support of this stimulating
and so much needed idea!"
Mrs Garvey, East Yorkshire
"I did these exercises with my daughter; she loved them and wants to
play again."
Mrs Rogers, Plymouth
"This product is excellent and would also be beneficial to children
with disorders such as ADHD. It would also be a great intro DVD for
children who are about to be admitted to hospital as there was nothing
like this about when my son had to go in for a heart op and it would
have helped him no end."
Miss Gooch, Norwich
"I think it's an extremely good idea."
Mrs Hirst, Eastbourne
"Whilst doing this survey my son who is 7 and a type 1 diabetic came
to watch and listen of his own accord; he really liked it."
Ms Halden, West Midland
"Great idea as it is."
Miss Hartley, Lancashire
"I looked at the video with my 6 yr old and she loved it."
Mrs Reeves, Norfolk
"This would be well received in schools."
Mrs McFadden, Antrim
"Responses from independent research conducted by Mum's Views Ltd"
Recently:
As one parent said, "Therapies like CBT are not available (see
research below) and this is something that doesn't cost as much as a
professional giving therapy to a child, the child and family can be in
complete control of this thus making the child still feel in control
and when you have a child who is suffering it is vital that they still
feel as in control of what is happening to them as possible.
Most kids feel out of control and that everything is happening at them
and that they can't do anything themselves so using this brings them
back to a human form and reminds them they do have control in areas
where they feel alone and frightened.
I just think it would help any growing child adapt and be more
assertive and in control of how to feel and react in given
situations."
http://www.animalagentz.com