Managing Screen Time for Kids with Autism: A Parent’s Guide

Relaxed Screen Time: A Child Enjoying Tablet Use on the Couch

Table of Contents

1. Finding Balance Screen Time and Kids

2. The Importance of Balanced Screen Use with Autistic Children

3. Social Story to Address The "Why" of Decreasing Screen Time

4. Using a Screen Time Checklist

5. Conclusion

6. References
   

Finding Balance: Screen Time and Autism

As a parent of four children, I’ve faced the common challenge of balancing screen time. While screens aren’t inherently bad, I noticed that my kids struggled to manage their screen use effectively. They would become so engrossed in their tablets that the rest of the world seemed to disappear. The difficulty wasn’t just in limiting screen time but also in encouraging my kids to engage with activities beyond their screens. The worst part was the longer they were on their devices without breaks the worse their moods became. It seemed meltdowns were inevitable whenever the tablets were involved.

After experimenting with numerous strategies, I found a balance that works well for our family to limit screen time but not vilify it, making the screen time battle much easier at our house.

The Importance of Balanced Screen Use with Autistic Children

Balancing screen time is crucial for children’s development, especially for those with autism. Excessive screen use can lead to various issues, including difficulty focusing, lack of physical activity, and reduced social interactions. Research shows that setting boundaries and encouraging alternative activities can enhance children's overall well-being and social-emotional development.

It can be tempting to either ban electronics entirely or let kids use them without restrictions. While banning devices might seem like a quick fix to avoid the constant battles over screen time, it's not always practical or beneficial in an age where they will be required to use some form of electronics for almost any exchange, whether at the store, library, or school.

On the flip side, some families find success in allowing unrestricted use of electronics, where children naturally self-regulate and engage in a healthy mix of screen-based and other activities like playing with siblings, drawing, or spending time outside. However, in many households, including my own, children often struggle with self-regulation. They might stay glued to their screens until nothing else seems important, becoming cranky and irritable, and clearly not happy. Research supports that many children do need structured limits to help them find a happy balance between screen time and other enriching activities.

Key Benefits of Limited Screen Use:

• Improved Attention and Focus: Limiting screen time encourages children to engage in activities that develop concentration and cognitive skills.

• Enhanced Physical Health: Reducing screen time promotes physical activities, which are essential for healthy growth and development.

• Better Social Skills: Engaging in real-world interactions fosters social skills and empathy, which are vital for children with autism.

Balancing Fun: Exploring More than Screens’ – A Social Story Encouraging Kids to Enjoy Diverse Activities Beyond Their Devices.

Social Story to Address The "Why" of Decreasing Screen Time

With many children who have autism, understanding the objective reasons behind what you are asking makes them much more likely to be compliant. This is definitely the most effective approach with my own children.

I often use a social skill story to introduce the ideas behind why something is important. If you would like to learn more about what a social skill story here read this post. You can make your own social story that is specific to your child and your situation, or you can purchase one like this if you are short on time or energy. This story is designed to help children understand that while there is nothing inherently bad about devices—in fact, they are often very useful and fun—however, it is important to balance this with other activities in life, such as playing outside or with friends. It gently encourages children to find joy in activities beyond their devices and explaining that while it seems like it would be fun to just be on a device, this ultimately will not keep them happy or healthy.

Why Autism Social Skill Stories Work:

• Visual and Narrative Learning: Social stories use simple language and pictures to explain concepts, making them accessible for young children and those with autism.

• Promotes Understanding and Acceptance: They provide clear examples and scenarios that children can relate to, helping them understand why balanced screen use is important rather than making them feel there is something wrong with using screens.

These Electronic checklists, housed in dollar store plastic sleeves, help children track their daily tasks. Magnetic hooks hold the sleeves securely on the fridge, providing a practical and visible reminder of their responsibilities before earning screen time.

Using a Screen Time Checklist

In addition to the social story, I have been using a Screen Time Checklist with my own children for several years. This checklist is a practical tool that outlines tasks children need to complete before they can use their devices. This "screen time checklist" includes basic daily activities that are often overlooked in our household (embarrassing, I know), like brushing teeth or getting dressed, and encourages children to engage in a variety of activities that they may actually enjoy doing each day.

These lists change frequently as our needs evolve, the children's abilities develop, and their available time varies. During the school year, it mostly involves self-care tasks that I struggle to get them to complete without arguments—the primary one being brushing teeth... why is this so difficult in our household? But during the summer, it involves more creative endeavors like playing a game with a sibling, reading or listening to a book, playing outside, etc.

One of the benefits of the Screen Time Checklist lies in its ease of personalization and the sense of autonomy it provides to children with autism. One of my children rushes to complete his checklist first thing in the morning, whereas my 10-year-old prefers to take his time and sometimes even decides that it’s not worth completing for that day. I often have to remind myself that it truly is a choice, and if they choose to skip brushing their hair to play with Lego all day rather than completing the tasks I would have liked, it’s their choice and just as valid.

Fold-Over Tab Checklist that is ideal for younger children and children with autism.

The checklist can be as complex or simple as needed for each child. For my 5-year-old, I use a flip-tab schedule with pictures since she isn’t reading yet and gets easily distracted if too much information is presented at once. Her checklist is divided into morning and afternoon tasks.

My older children have simpler checklists that I print and put in plastic sleeves from the dollar store, allowing them to check off tasks with a dry-erase marker as they complete them. I use magnetic hooks to keep the checklists on the side of the fridge, so they don’t get lost.

Visual checklist for children to complete tasks before screen time.

This electronics checklist download is available for purchase if you're short on time.

How the Screen Time Checklist Helps:

• Creates Structure: The checklist provides a clear routine, making it easier for children to understand and follow expectations.

• Encourages Responsibility: It empowers children to manage their time and responsibilities, fostering independence.

• Promotes Diverse Activities: By including a variety of tasks, the checklist encourages children to explore different interests and activities beyond screens.
  

A Child Brushing Their Teeth As Part Of Their Morning Routine.

Ideas for Your Electronics Checklist:

• 15 Minutes of reading

• List to a read-aloud story

• Playing outside

• Complete one chore

• Brush teeth or hair, put on deodorant, etc.

• Get dressed

• Draw or create something

• Play a game

• Do a worksheet page

• Work on a puzzle

• Pick an activity from a learning shelf set up on bookshelf by adult (e.g., puzzles, easy science activities, sorting activities)

• Build something with Lego

• 15-minute sensory activity- Playdough, slime, water table, etc.

• Call and talk to grandparents

• Write a letter or email to someone

• Try a bite of a new food

Conclusion

Balancing screen time can be particularly challenging, especially for parents of children with autism. However, with the right strategies, it’s entirely possible to guide your child toward a more balanced and enriching daily routine.

References

1. Anderson, D. R., & Hanson, K. G. (2017). Screen media and the developing brain. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 58(4), 462-473.

2. Gentile, D. A., et al. (2014). The effects of violent video game habits on adolescent hostility, aggressive behaviors, and school performance. Journal of Adolescence, 27(1), 5-22.

3. Hwang, Y. S., & Kearney, P. (2015). A systematic review of mindfulness intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 43-44, 139-151.

4. Przybylski, A. K. (2019). Digital screen time and pediatric sleep: Evidence from a preregistered cohort study. Journal of Pediatrics, 217, 278-282.

5. Radesky, J. S., et al. (2020). Mobile and interactive media use by young children: The good, the bad, and the unknown. Pediatrics, 135(1), e1-e3.

6. Singer, D. G., & Singer, J. L. (2012). Handbook of Children and the Media. Sage Publications.

7. Strasburger, V. C., & Hogan, M. J. (2013). Children, adolescents, and the media. Pediatrics, 132(5), 958-961.

8. Vandewater, E. A., et al. (2015). Digital media exposure and early adolescent school achievement: A longitudinal study. Developmental Psychology, 41(1), 171-188.

9. Zhao, J., & Li, X. (2019). The association between screen time and physical activity among adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 1535.

10. Gray, C. (2015). The New Social Story Book. Future Horizons.

Feel free to share this blog post with fellow parents and educators. Let’s help our children explore more than screens!