Watching TV and autism- a connection?

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I wonder how much influence watching TV has on our development ?
On TV there's a difference in the way people interact compared to reality and it's possible that when we watch TV and are then faced with the outside world, in some people these differences can cause confusion and 'cross-wiring' in the thought process.

For example on TV or films the dialogue is mostly scripted and rehearsed. When characters speak there is usually a pause,then the next person has their say.Speech is usually articulated and meaningful and the sound is set at the best level.Nobody says 'Pardon,can you repeat that please ?' In some programmes,witty one-liners are portrayed as being
instinctive behaviour (this can make us feel inadequate if we're not always as quick-witted)
Offensive language is modified or indicated in advance.Programmes are subject to routine and timetables.

By contrast,in reality people often speak all at once or in quickfire succession.They sometimes mumble and jump from one subject to another at random.
They don't always mean what they say.Words can be used inappropriately and background noise can often make it difficult to hear what's being said.Offensive words are used as if they're accepted vocabulary.
People don't necessarily follow routine or timetables.

It may be there is a genetic reason why some people find it more difficult to differentiate between the more ordered world of TV from reality.
I don't think there's any way that TV is a 'cause' of autism but there could be a case for it being a factor in its development!

I've become obsessed with some TV Shows:
The Angry Beavers
Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo
Carnivale
Chad Vader
Eek! The Cat
Road Rovers
Rock Star (INXS, Supernova)
Teen Titans
Wheel Of Fortune

Last edited by KurtmanJP on 19 Jan 2007, 9:12 pm, edited 2 times in total.

I pretty much hate TV, the shows suck and other people like watching them so it serves as just one more background noise to drive me nuts.

Not really as most people give you advice to watch the soups...

I think I watched an average amount of TV when I was a child (though the average was less then than it is now, I suspect). I can remember it being a part of my life but not significantly so.

I tend to regard the TV as an unwelcome distraction now. Most of the programmes are vacuous, and those that aren't are generally worrying. I have enough stuff to worry about already, thanks very much.

And swear lol watch two pints of lager & a pakcket of crisps, you sure yo live in the uk?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/twopints/ two pints of lager & a pakcket of crisps

Another Angry Beavers fan, yay!
The only one that rocked more than TAB was Invader Zim...sucks Nickeloden cancelled both of them.

i was never a tv watcher as a child. but I watch movies now. I prefer fun kids movies vs. ramance ones I cant relate to.

If we're going to blame early influences, that's going to be much more down to books than TV in my case. Many more hours spent with the former.

I'm trying to remember my first TV memories now... very fragmentary. No conscious lessons taken from watching the box at that age.

Surprisingly, for a non-athletic person, I watch a lot of sports on television. Running and figure skating are my favorite sports to watch, plus the movie Four Minutes, the story of Roger Bannister.

My aspie son is a fourth generation couch potato. I think that says a lot.

Evening.Harder.Disc.Two.London[DVDRip][Eng][2006][XEYEZ] Have a look at british humor (((WARNING HEAVY SWEARING )))

I almost never watch TV. Most of it is utterly boring. It is much more attractive to seek out the information I need online, and to subscribe to particular discussion lists were news in these fields are presented. I feel no need to keep informed of the sad state of our "civilization".

Viewers are warned in advance that there will be
swearing in certain programmes.That doesn't happen
IRL,where vulnerable children especially can be alarmed if confronted with a barrage of offensive language in the playground. If they spend a lot of
time watching daytime TV (swearing is only broadcast in UK after 9pm),they are bound to be confused when they hear others speaking in a different way in the outside world. It's the influence of TV on our development I was thinking about.Swearing on adult
programmes like Two Pints.. is no problem

Ye so what there is a warning even when you warn someone its proven fact in research they reflex are still as cough, unexpected... Just coz a warning they... And if the Kid is at school I think he will be able to tell the difference, I am sure they not confused they ask what does that mean its like any new word they won't know what it means until they ask... Everyone speaks different...

Warning is they for people who think swearing is offensive...


" and you can't protect your child 24/7, mind you some parents isolate they child...

OK,maybe I should have added it's not just the swear words in the playground themselves that could confuse children,but the manner in which they are often
used - aggressive,taunting,bullying. That doesn't generally happen on children's
TV. Of course,the answer would be if people cut out the bad behaviour and
instead behaved as if they were on TV,being judged by millions of viewers.

There's a parallel with the current controversy over racist bullying on the
UK's Big Brother. You could say that was caused by people being put in a
situation where they became oblivious to the fact they were on TV and reverted
to basic,instinctive behaviour. I like to think that someone with ASD
wouldn't have resorted to that,as we probably act like we're on TV a lot of
the time and being watched and judged.I for one think very carefully about what I'm going to say and sometimes rehearse it,so in that respect TV may
actually be a positive influence if it makes us more aware of the effects that our speech and actions can have on others.