5 Ways to Manage Screen Time for Children With Autism

BY EMILY CRANE

Many kids with autism prefer activities in solitude rather than with others, and screen use is a big preference among these activities. In fact, kids and teens with autism tend to spend more time engaging in screen activity than their neurotypical peers - making managing screen time particularly difficult for parents of autistic children.

While it’s unrealistic to try and rid screens from kids’ lives completely, there are plenty of ways to monitor time spent on them. Screens don’t need to be demonized, but rather managed and used with good boundaries to preserve physical, psychological, social and neurological health.

Let’s look at the pros and cons of screen time and some methods of management so your child can live their best quality of life.

Pros And Cons

Pros of screen time? It might seem unlikely, but technology is an incredible tool that we’re blessed to have in our lifetime. Screen activities offer:

• Motivation

• Connection with friends and family

• Educational content

• Learning opportunities

On the other hand, cons of screen time can include:

• Poor sleep

• Higher risk for ADHD-related behavior

• Impaired vision

• Impaired social skills

How To Manage Screen Time

With screens so readily available, we as adults must set our own boundaries for healthy use. We all mindlessly use them more than we probably want. As a result, teach and model intentionally in screen use for your child. Try these methods of managing screens for more mindful use and better health.

1. Designate screen use areas

Designate areas of your home for screen use to set physical boundaries on appropriate use. For example, establish rules such as keeping tablets and laptops at desks and living areas only. Location boundaries can help kids learn social setting expectations and how to focus on one activity at a time.

2. Create schedules

Come up with a schedule that includes slots for screen time or choose a time limit. For example, one hour on weekdays and 3 hours on weekends. Setting timers and giving warnings for how much time is left are helpful tools for easing transitions, as well.

3.Monitor

Manage electronic devices with passwords, know exactly what your child is doing on the screen, and check age-appropriateness of the material.

4. Model healthy boundaries

Model healthy screen-use boundaries in front of your child or children, such as having no phones at the dinner table or during family time. Also avoid multitasking while a screen is in front of you.

5. Self-empower with self-monitoring

If appropriate, discuss with your child what appropriate screen time looks like, including content, time length, relation to other activities, etc. Additionally, look into the many apps that can help teach kids to monitor their own screen time.

In our technology-saturated world, empowering your child to self-monitor is a valuable lesson they can take with them into the rest of their lives.

On a final note, be sure to inform your child’s BCBA of any screen time rules at home to implement during therapy for consistency.

We hope these tips are helpful in encouraging healthy screen use for not only your autistic child, but your entire family.

To learn more about the comprehensive autism services at Healing Haven, visit thehealinghaven.net.