Another parent-inspired product!

Qcharm is a portable and visual cuing system which enables children and adults to communicate with parents, educators, and caregivers.

The Wristband:

Yellow and Neon green for optimal visual acuity (contrast background to the black icon ink) *** 100% silicon (latex free) to the exact specifications of the popular Livestrong bands. *** Easily stretch to apply and remove the charms. *** Keychain version available for those who do not wish to wear a wristband or for those who should not wear a band (i.e. choking hazard, pre-existing areas of skin breakdown) *** Two bands and two keychains per kit provide four surfaces to transport charms at any given time.

The Charms:

No moving parts. *** Flat surface for optimal icon presentation *** ½ inch by ½ inch plastic *** For cuing purposes, the charms may be placed individually or in “groups” (to represent schedule/parts of a task/safety reminders/emotions/rewards and tokens to be earned/techniques to use to adapt to environmental stressors *** Charms attach to the band by stretching the band to fit/slide into the “thicker” portion of the backside of the charm *** Charms are removed from the band by stretching the band and sliding it out of the “thinner” portion of the backside of the charm.

The Pictures on the Charms:

Clear blank-ink design with no competing shadows or colors *** Black printing is optimal foreground color to contrast the charm’s yellow background *** Unlimited design/icon/symbol opportunities *** Present information related to schedule, changes in schedule, emotions, safety, techniques to adapt to environmental stressors, reward reminders, expressive and receptive communication, cause and effect, “first/then”, concept (sequence of events/behavior then reward/inappropriate or unsafe behavior then consequence) *** Blank charms *** Anyone who wants a visual support system that is very easy to transport around the home, community, and school settings.

Benefits for Educators:

Cues are portable across the school setting (via the child’s wrist/backpack/the educator, etc) *** The band may be handed off to other educators (i.e. Homeroom teacher to the Inclusion classroom teacher) *** The system is subtle and fashionable, which draws less unwanted attention from others. *** The child/educator can refer to it frequently *** The close proximity of the band/cues is easier to see (vs. looking at a poster hung on a wall that may be relatively far away) *** There is no need to cut/laminate/Velcro visual cues *** May use the cues to facilitate language development *** cues may be used to teach “cause and effect”

Benefits for Caregivers:

Cues may be referred to in any location around the house (rather than having to find the cues posted in one part of the house) *** cues may be referred to when child/caregiver are outside or somewhere in the neighborhood *** cues may be handed off to a sitter/other caregiver *** no need to cut/laminate/Velcro visual cues (more time to spend with the child/individual) *** cues may be easily transported out into the community (store/restaurant/playground/friend’s and relative’s house/movie theater/place of worship/etc) *** consistent use of cues improves behavior/language/sensory modulation/task transition which may lead to more respite opportunities for the primary caregiver(s) *** may use the cue to facilitate language development *** cues may be used to teach “cause and effect”

Benefits for the Individual:

Beneficial visual cues are easily accessed *** can see that letters combine to make words and words match pictures *** can see that facial expressions (in others) are a way to signal what the other person is feeling *** cues that depict facial expressions may be used to help the individual identify what he/she is feeling *** cues can be frequently referenced to remind of upcoming events/tasks, schedule changes, safety reminders, rewards to anticipate *** cues can be referenced to communicate a need *** cues can be used to remind the person what strategies he/she can use to adapt to environmental stressors (ie. Loud noise)

Benefits for Others (relatives, siblings etc.)

Cues help the relative/sitter/etc communicate in a way that is familiar to the individual (which is important in the reduction of tantrums and in the improvement of desirable and safe behavior) *** cues are easily portable and fashionable which may increase the chances of the relative/sitter actually using the cues *** visual cues also remind the relative/sitter/etc what is coming up next *** cues/reward symbols can be easily referenced to shape behavior and to communicate needs/information to the individual with autism *** no more cutting/laminating/Velcro *** facial expression cues may be referenced in order to help identify what the individual is feeling. Then, appropriate changes can be made and words of reassurance can be spoken *** facial expression cues help the secondary caregiver explain to the individual what someone else is feeling *** safety cues remind the relative/sitter/etc what hazards to anticipate and what cues to use to prevent a dangerous situation *** cues help the secondary caregiver reinforce “cause and effect”

A word from the co-creators of Qcharms:

“With QCHARMS, we offer a fashionable and functional system to assist you in connecting with a child who has Autism. We realize that Autism presents many levels of severity and that those who work and care for this population have varying resources. Our hope is that you will capitalize on the visual learning techniques that have made such a difference in our lives. If we provide these special children with what they need, we will not limit their ability to express their needs, to prepare for task transition, to anticipate rewards, to learn cause and effect, and to connect with others in their own way. We just need to accept the situation, use the tools and look for the many signs of progress—especially the seemingly smallest signs. Allow yourself to be amazed!! With gratitude, Denise, Ken, Kenny and Adam Meissner. Co-Creators of Qcharms.”

Each QCharm kit contains 30 icon charms and 3 reward charms that can be used for your own cuing system. For maximum usability, two wristbands, two keychains as well as a portable carrying case are also included.

Available Kits:

Start-Up Kit: Angry, Backpack, Bathroom, Birthday Party, Book, Bus, Cold, Computer, Danger, Drink, Dr. Appointment, Eat, Friends, Headphones, Help, Hot, I Win, List, Nap, Play, Playground, Quiet, Scared, Sick, Star (4 charms), Stop, Swim, Take a Bite, Thumb Up, Work.

Young Child School Kit:ABC’s, Art, Backpack, Ball Bath, Bathroom, Book, Breakfast, Bus, Car, Circle Time, Computer, Class, Desk, Drink, Eat, Field Trip, Fire Drill, Loud Noise, Help: (2 person), Help: (Sign Language), Kooshball, Line Up, Lunch, Medicine, Nap, Nurse, O.T., P.T., Speech (therapy), Playground, Quiet, Schedule, Sensory Area.

Youth School Kit:Angry, Backpack, Bathroom, Binder, Bus, Car, Cafeteria, Change (clothes), Class, Computer, Dr. Appointment, Field Trip, Fire Alarm, Friends, Gym, Happy, Help, Homework, 1 Me, 1 Want, 1 Win, Inhaler, Letter (mail), Library, Line Up, List, Locker, Loud Noise, Lunch, Medicine, Nurse, Running Shoes, Work (at desk).

Home Kit:Bathroom, Bed, Brother, Brush Teeth, Bus, Car, Desk, Dr. Appointment, Father, Get Dressed, Happy, Library, Listen, Math, Medicine, Mother, No, Relax, Schedule, Sensory Area, Shower, Sick, Sister, Snack Time, Star (3 separate charms), Swing, Thumb Up, Television, Video Games.

Community Kit:Bathroom, Baseball, Bike, Birthday Party, Camp, Coffee, Car, Dollar Store, Drink, Eat, Father, Friends, Funny Movie, Happy, Headache, Help, Hotel, I Win, Library, Lunch, Mother, Paycheck, Playground, Quiet, Soccer, Shop, Stomach (Ache), Stop, Swim, Thumb Up, Walk Wash Hands, Zoo.

QCharm Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years old.

Custom Kits are available. Please call Kelly at 763-390-0352 or email info@thespecialneedsstore.com for more details.