Screen Media and Autism Spectrum Disorder

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Abstract
OBJECTIVE:

Previous studies suggest that psychiatric disorders are associated with problematic use of screen media. This article systematically reviews the literature on the associations between screen media and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The review uses the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
METHOD:

Electronic databases were searched from inception to April 2018, using the term "ASD/autism" along with one of the following terms: "screen time"/"media"/"computer"/"phone"/"television"/"video game."
RESULTS:

A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies support the view that children and adolescents with ASD are exposed to more screen time than their typically developing peers or other clinical groups and that the exposure starts at a younger age. The content and context of screen use (e.g., with parents vs alone) may affect the behaviors associated with media exposure. Correlates and long-term consequences of early screen exposure (before the age of 3 years) remain largely unexamined.
CONCLUSION:

The current review provides important information about how ASD is associated with screen use and exposure. Future longitudinal research should examine the impact of early screen exposure on child development while accounting for potential moderating environmental factors (e.g., socioeconomic status, parent-child relationship). This will help determine whether-and if so, how much-exposure is detrimental and allow appropriate recommendations and interventions related to screen time among children with ASD.


https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/309 ... t=Abstract




I apparently watched a lot of tv when I was very young. My father has a memory of my rushing into the kitchen to share the news of the Kennedy election.

I am a bit sceptical though as to whether this has any connection to being on the spectrum.

It's good that reputable researchers have taken up this issue. Excessive screen time causes autistic children (and presumably adults, too) a great deal of harm, in my experience.

In what way would you say it causes a great deal of harm?

So … they are saying that ASD children of our middle aged generation watched more TV than than did NT kids our age- way back in the pre Net Sixties/Seventies/Eighties?

And that AS kids of today watch the combination of TV, and computers, more than do NT kids of today do?

Is that the proper translation into plain English?

I think that's a good enough translation .

Ironically reminds me of that stupid dad in Matilda and his hatred of books.

I was good at socialising as a kid but I feel sorry for a kid who isn't. I mean, the outside world is great if you live in the suburbs/country and have a gang of mates but what's an aspie kid who doesn't have any friends meant to do? Especially in the city. Reading and TV are things they do because they don't have friends to play with etc.

Maybe toy manufacturers need to remember part of their demographic is the 6-12, only child demographic. Too much entertainment for that age these days is being moved into the online world instead of toys. Yes, when I was playing at home I had the TV running but it was in the background to what I was doing or I was reading a book. Staring at the screen is different to that.

And like I said some people worry about kids having their heads too much in books and not going out to play.

What I'm saying is, this feels like pressurising the kid to be 'normal' and social.

The tendency to retreat into a fantasy world, rather than dealing with a real one that presents social and sensory challenges.

I can't really tolerate the combination of picture and sound together for very long. One or the other is OK, but both together is hard. I find it easier to watch a play than a film.

Does screen media usage increase the likelihood of ASD , or are those who have ASD more likely to use screen media a lot?

I doubt that it causes autism. Or... maybe it does.

Maybe if you forced your kid to watch soaps, or the Khardashians, or murder mysteries, they would become socially savy NTs. But if they watch Dr. Who, or science docs, or Star Trek, they will become autistic.

Correlation is not causation.

I believe Star Trek was actually quite NT----especially as regards Kirk's facility with the ladies....

Agreed . Whether A causes B has to be proved or disproved.