A little background before I get into this updated 2020 Mightier review. Originally, I reviewed Mightier during the Summer of 2018. I absolutely loved it because it made a huge difference in Emmett’s life. Since then, I have been spreading the word and helping parents learn about this amazing resource. I receive so many questions regarding Mightier from parents wanting to try it with their kids, so I decided to write an updated review for 2020.
As a single parent of three autistic kids, I know firsthand how challenging life can be, especially for our kiddos on the autism spectrum. I know how difficult it can be as a parent, especially as a single parent, to navigate everyday life with the added challenges that autism can bring to the table. Sometimes just making it through the day is a victory for me.
I know I can’t fix everything, but I try to level the playing field wherever I can. I’m always looking for things that can help improve the quality of life of my children. I’m very careful about what I bring into our home because money is almost always tight and I’m admittedly skeptical, especially about anything that claims to help kids on the autism spectrum because it rarely turns out to be the case.
Back in 2018, I decided to try this with Emmett, my youngest. Emmett has always struggled with meltdowns. Over the years, it’s been very difficult to manage. This is especially true since becoming a single parent. As a single parent, I need all the help I can get.
What is Mightier?
Mightier is a video game-based biofeedback program that harnesses kids’ natural love of gaming and uses it to teach valuable life skills. In other words, Mightier uses gaming to help kids age 6 to 12 recognize and manage their emotions. It’s important to note that the age group isn’t set in stone. Mightier says that lots of families are successfully using it with younger kids, teens, and even young adults.
For over a decade, Mightier has been scientifically proven to help kids reduce meltdowns, manage anxiety, and control anger.
When I first went into this, I was highly skeptical because I couldn’t fathom how more screen time would help reduce meltdowns in my house. Screen time is one of the leading causes of meltdowns in my house. It seemed counter-intuitive to me. I also had no clue as to the role the heart rate monitor played in all of this either.
Additional Resources:
You can listen to my conversation with Angela Gotz, a fellow autism parent, finding great success with Mightier and her kiddos on the spectrum.
You can listen to my interview with Dr. Jason Kahn, the co-founder of Mightier talk about the science behind it and why it works so well.
What parents and professionals are saying:
How does Mightier work?
Use the code “theautismdad22” at checkout and save 10%
Here’s how it works. Basically, Emmett wears a heart rate monitor on his arm that’s paired to the Mightier tablet and integrated into their extensive library of games. The games themselves are really fun and I enjoy playing them myself. Yes, I’m an adult and yes, I play video games. Don’t judge.
Like most kids, Emmett loves gaming. When he plays any of the Mightier games, he sees his heart rate in real-time on the screen. This is courtesy of the sensory-friendly heart rate monitor he wears on his arm. If he gets too worked up, his heart rate raises into the red, and the game becomes harder/less fun to play.
Do you remember playing Mario Kart as a kid? Do you remember when you’d hit an oil slick, stuff spattered on the screen, and obscured your view in the game, making it harder to play? That’s basically what happens. The difference is, for Emmett to restore the game to a more playable state, he has to get his heart rate back down into the blue. He accomplishes this by calming himself.
Cause and effect
The games are not designed to trigger frustration. They simply detect when Emmett gets frustrated, overly excited, or angry because all of these things result in an increased heart rate.
When his heart rate enters the red, the games become more difficult to play. This isn’t meant to further frustrate Emmett but instead help him recognize how his emotions are impacting him at that moment. It’s a cause-and-effect thing.
Finding the calm
Mightier teaches calming techniques that Emmett can use to bring his heart rate back down into the blue, allowing him to continue gaming. He wasn’t thrown to the wolves so to speak because Mightier teaches simple but proven ways for Emmett to calm himself and prompts him to use those skills when his heart rate gets into the red. He’s guided along the way and it works amazingly well.
Before he knows it, he’s back gaming again.
Mightier recommends about 45 minutes of use per week but that’s not set in stone. We went well over that 45-minute mark at times. I figured he was going to be gaming anyway, at least this was having a positive impact on his life. Mightier states that within 10 weeks of use, you’ll see a significant reduction in both meltdowns and parental stress.
It didn’t take Emmett before he was practicing these calming techniques and even applying these skills in real-life situations, outside of video games. Witnessing that is a freaking awesome parenting moment.
Mightier is so empowering for him because he’s learning to control his emotions so they don’t control him. Meltdowns are an awful experience, especially for the person actually having one. Mightier is helping Emmett to sort of defuse meltdowns on his own before they happen. Not only does this improve his life but it helps reduces the overall stress in the house. I mean, fewer meltdowns are good for everyone.
The sciency stuff
Mightier is based on biofeedback, a long-standing, proven science. If you’re not familiar with biofeedback, get ready for some sciency stuff.
Biofeedback is a technique that uses electrical sensors to help you learn to control some of your body’s functions, such as your heart rate.
Mightier really caught my attention when I learned that it was developed, tested, and proven by Harvard Medical and Boston Children’s Hospital. They explained that after 10 weeks of use, parents see a 60%+ reduction in meltdowns, a 40% decrease in oppositional behavior, and a 19% reduction in parental stress. Over 70% of parents across the board report positive change. That’s a really big deal and warrants serious consideration.
Links below to all the science and research.
The Science and Research behind Mightier: Click Here
Use the code “theautismdad22” at check out and save 10%.
How long does my child need to use Mightier?
I want to also add that Emmett no longer uses Mightier on a regular basis. After the first year, he was doing really well and using the skills he’d learned along the way. I find that he still sometimes needs practice, and that’s especially true since COVID hit. I keep it around to help him when he needs the extra help.
Also, Mightier doesn’t create any type of dependency. I’ve been asked about that a few times. Every kid is different and some may need ongoing help and others won’t. Mightier teaches these skills and once your child masters them, you don’t necessarily need to continue using Mightier. What I recommend is that parents use this for at least a year, depending on their child’s unique needs. After that, drop the subscription if you think you’re good. Hang on to everything because your child may need a refresher course in the future. You can resubscribe for a month or so and let your child practice.
What Does it Cost?
The cost is $40/month with a 30-day money back guarantee.
One subscription works for the whole family and includes:
- A Mightier heart sensor
- The Mightier Game App with 25+ games
- The Mightier Parent App to track your child’s process
- Monthly Skill Packs to explore emotions
- Access to the Mightier Family Care Team for tech and program support
- Optional tablets are available at no cost if you do not have one at home
- Visit Mightier at https://www.mightier.com/plans-promo/ and use the code “theautismdad” at checkout to save 10%.
- Please note that there is a $25 shipping charge for shipping internationally.
There are significant discounts for prepaid six-month and twelve-month subscriptions as well. One subscription covers the whole family.
Use the code “theautismdad22” at check out and save 10%.
Final Thoughts
Like many other parents out there, I tried for years to help Emmett use some of these same calming techniques but it just never seemed to click. Mightier leveraged his love of gaming and made it all the difference in the world. Things clicked and Emmett gained more control over his emotions.
Mightier is an absolutely amazing program that does what it claims to do. It teaches skills that Emmett will use for the rest of his life. He absolutely loves Mightier. As I said, I was very skeptical at first but I’m so grateful I gave it a try.
In my original review back in 2018, I praised Mightier because of the impact it’s had on Emmett. After using Mightier for over two years, I can say without hesitation that it works. At least several times per week, I hear from parents who are sharing how Mightier has helped their child. I don’t take endorsing a product lightly but I fully endorse and stand behind Mightier.
I highly recommend that you give Mightier a try.
Recommendations
I do have a few recommendations I’d like to share. I highly recommend parents sit down with their children and work together at first. This helps the younger kiddos get off to a good start. There’s not really a steep learning curve to this but I chose to sit down with Emmett and work together at first. It helped me to better understand the process and I was there to help if needed.
Use the code “theautismdad22” at check out and save 10%.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recommended age for using Mightier?
- There’s a little confusion over this and to be completely honest, I don’t know that there is a set age. I believe Mightier recommends use for kids between the ages of 6 to 12. I do want to remind you that every child is developmentally different. Parents tell me that they use it with kids as young as 2 and I’m using it with my 21-year-old. I also hear from parents who use this with their autistic or developmentally delayed adult children as well. Everyone is different and all I can say beyond this is give it a try, if it’s not a good fit, send it back.
- I always recommend that parents sit down with their children and work together. Once the child gets the hang of things, they can work more independently.
Will this work for my son/daughter?
- Simply put, Mightier is based on biofeedback, and biofeedback works on humans. Mightier was originally designed to be used as an inpatient tool and because it was so successful, it was made available to the general public.
- Kids with autism, ADHD, ODD, Anxiety, anger, etc, do very well with Mightier. The same can be said for their neurotypical peers.
- Like anything, you get out of it what you put into it. This is not necessarily a quick fix but rather it is a long-term solution meaning the skills that your child learns, will carry them throughout their life. It takes time and practice but it works.
How much does it cost?
- Mightier costs $40/month with a 90 day no questions asked return policy.
- There are significant discounts for six months and twelve-month prepaid subscriptions.
- $40/month x 12 months = $480/year
- Six month prepaid = $204
- Twelve-month prepaid = $336/year
- $40/month is easier upfront but more expensive long term. Most people opt for six or twelve months prepaid because it’s cheaper and no monthly payments.
- Everything comes with a 90-day money-back guarantee.
Is Mightier available internationally?
- Yes.
- Note that there is a $25 shipping charge for shipping internationally.
- Use the code “theautismdad22” at check out and save 10%.
What does Mightier include?
- Works for the entire family
- 1 Mighty Band heart rate monitor
- Mightier app and library of games
- An online hub to track your child’s process
- Access to The Mightier Family Care Team (Live 7 days/wk)
Are the games fun for older kids?
- Every child is different but generally speaking, the games are fun for all ages. I find them fun myself and while I like some more than others, there are almost 30 well-designed, fun, engaging video games.
- Types of games include racing, problem-solving, pattern recognition, adventure & more.
Where can I read about the science behind Mightier?
- You can read more about the science behind Mightier by clicking here.
Are the games designed to cause frustration?
- The games are not designed to trigger frustration. They simply detect when your child gets frustrated, overly excited, or angry because all of these things result in an increased heart rate.
Do I get paid to endorse Mightier?
- I am an affiliate and brand ambassador for Mightier. Therefore, if you click a link and make a purchase from this page, I may receive a commission.
- This blog has been promoting Mightier for 2 years, even before I was an affiliate. I strongly believe it can significantly improve the lives of kids struggling with emotional regulation and subsequently their families as well. I would be endorsing Mightier regardless.
- For more information on the very small list of products I endorse, please see my Parent Resources page.
- Use the code “theautismdad” at check out and save 10%.
How often does my child need to use Mightier?
- Mightier recommends that your child spend 45 minutes weeks using the program.
- You can break this time into 15-minute chunks throughout the week.
- Yes, you can absolutely use it more if that fits your family. Every family is different and yours may benefit from more time. Practice is always a good thing.
I will keep this updated as questions come in.
Leave your questions in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them.
Additional Resources:
- Use the code “theautismdad22” at check out and save 10%.
- My original 2018 Mightier Review: Click Here
- I answer all your questions about Mightier: Click Here
- Find out what other parents are saying about Mightier: Click Here
- The Science and Research behind Mightier: Click Here
- Reach out to me with any questions you may have via the form below
[ninja_form id=1]
Hello Rob,
I am finding this post you wrote about Mightier. I am considering it for my daughter. I am wondering if you could speak to the screen time piece and let me know if this created any problems for your son, you mentioned screen time was creating meltdowns prior to using mightier… did adding in more screen time add to that problem at all? We don’t use screens very often in our home and I’m anticipating having regular use of one could create sparked interest and obsession for all three of our kids. I’d love to hear your thoughts about this! Thank you!
This is a great question. I don’t really consider Mightier to be screen time because playing Mightier actually improves their quality of life and teaches them the skills they need to gain more independence. Typical screen time is relatively mindless and there’s not always a lot of upside or positives to it. It’s fun but it’s also disruptive. Mightier is positive screen time. We’ve had it in my house for many years and there has never been a downside to it. I truly mean that. It’s been amazing to see how it’s helped my youngest learn to manage his emotions.