With more and more people required to spend time indoors, many parents are right to worry about the impact of decreasing social interactions among their children due to digital devices. However, families of autistic children may find this even more troubling.
After all, digital devices can be both a boon and a bane for autistics. Therefore, parents must take very specific measures to keep technology usage under control. Given their tendency towards narrow interests and difficulty with social interaction, devices may seem like the ideal way to provide an autistic some manner of relief and stability as they can watch over and over again the same videos. But on the flip side, this still doesn’t quite eliminate harmful side effects such as affected sleeping patterns, negative influence of certain media and the possibility of addiction.
Resolving this dilemma will require no small amount of discernment and consultation on the part of parents. However, here are three tactics that can help form a strategy.
The connection of autism and addiction is a topic of much discussion and research. But when you think about it, the reasons can be surprisingly simple if you know about ASD’s impact on sensory needs.
All autistics seek out some sensation to calm themselves down (such as stimming). This is deeply connected with the different way their brains are wired to interpret the world. They desire certain forms of stimulation as a means of achieving a sense of stability.
The world of a video game, for example, might give them a stronger sense of control than they have in the real world. Thus, addiction to technology can certainly happen because it gives them that sense of empowerment. Fortunately, knowing their needs enables you to come up with an alternative that is equally empowering and assuring during times of distress.
Naturally, content monitoring is also another important practice. People with autism are vulnerable to all sorts of influences and places like the internet are filled with both the good and bad sort.
Take note though, monitoring is not the same as having to constantly watch over your child’s shoulder whenever they’re browsing. Rather, it is about awareness and having a good plan to talk to them regarding certain topics or ideas that are not good for their well-being.
Likewise, it is important for your child to network with inclusive communities that are supportive and nourishing. Depending on their age and level of comprehension, you can connect them with people who provide good information about their condition, as well as great encouragement.
It may seem like bonding with them is a no-brainer, but this is really a theory that is not put well into practice. There are many cases where parents confuse bonding with their kids with doing things that only the parents wanted to do.
In reality, it is important to really allow the children (yes, even those with ASD) to have more independence during bonding times. It can be as simple as, say, letting them pick a book you can read together or ask them to suggest what board game to play.
Essentially, it is important to remember that bonding is a two-way experience that should help parents understand where their kids are coming from (such as why they like certain things and what you can do to meet their needs).
All in all, decreaed social interactions due to digital devices is a more delicate issue among parents of autistics (even more delicate than some might admit). That is why it is best to really work with the unique aspects of their mind and be really creative in terms of providing alternatives.
If you need any advice or support, then know that we at the Australian Tomatis Method are still here to help you. Please reach out if you need to, either by email at info@tomatis.com.au or by phone to Francoise at 0414 444 915.
Official Representative of Tomatis Developpement SA in Australia, Asia and South Pacific, Director of the Australian Tomatis® Method, Registered Psychologist, Certified Tomatis® Consultant Senior, Tomatis® International Trainer and Speaker, Co-author of the Listening Journey Series, 40 Years of Experience, Neurodiversity Speaker
