How does your kid spend their time...

[LondonPsych]

When not on devices?

DD10 is addicted to gaming. It's partly because she's autistic and a particular game is a special interest. Also, because of her autism she cannot tolerate groups and hobbies that lots of kids do. She's also an only child, meaning that she doesn't have siblings to bob about with.

She likes reading and drawing. But complains about being bored after an hour or so.

I'm trying to get some ideas of things she can do that don't involve bloody screens.

@LondonPsych on the plus side, your child hasn't recently been in hospital due to fits which were traced to dehydration after their parents left them all day and every day playing on VR Fortnite. I know a family that this happened to. They didn't even know what game their child was playing. So well done for trying and taking an interest.

Have you tried other stuff outside (I'm sure you have, but...) my daughter sounds somewhat similar although she is a tv watcher rather than games. HATES a walk with a passion. But loves intermittently roller blading, pogo, table tennis, cycling, skateboard, that sort of thing. Not always though, we have to coax her out depending on what she's into at any time. Sometimes she's keen 😬 We sandwich that with tv and the other sorts of bits everyone mentions.

When she isnt doing clubs, or helping me or torturing her sister, my 7 yr old will want to veg out in front of the tv. If that's not an option she'll do painting or sticker scenes, play imaginative games with barbies or a dolls house or write her own story (largely ripped off from Harry Potter).

My autistic 10 year old likes horse riding, swimming, cycling, Tae Kwon Do, audiobooks, drawing & painting, graphic novels, going to the library, Cubs (outdoors), Snap Circuits, woodwork, marble run, Magformers, having a bath and playing with our dog/school therapy dog.

I bought my dd CraZloom this afternoon and she has spent hours making bracelets.

Would she enjoy filling out a book like 'Rebel Girls journal' or 'My awesome year being 10'? You draw like your family or write your interests in them every page asks you to fill something out. Or what about the Wreck this journal series?

DD also likes paint by sticker books. I am autistic and I do the adults version alongside her. Mine have lovely big pages, they're called Animetrics and Geometrics off Amazon.

Have you tried Pokémon Go when you're out walking with her? It will involve her looking at a screen, but it may be a way to tempt her outside

My 12yDC, also autistic, is exactly the same about gaming and special interests. Their narrow view of how to fill leisure time and boredom threshold bothers me. Whilst the ideas here suggested are great, actually trying to get DC to do something else is a long, agonising process. We spend huge amounts of time negotiating, explaining, discussing particularly with going out and doing things. Yes, when we do DC usually enjoy it but it’s an absolute soul crushing procedure. As a parent I want DC to enjoy life to the full, I don’t want them to miss out or find something else they may really like. I also worry about screen time, and we do have limits in place. I really empathised with your post especially the ‘giving in’ part. The comment ‘Do you take her out: bike riding, walking, swimming?’ was just insulting.

@ItsMyIssue - you have hit the nail so very squarely on the head; everything you've said is EXACTLY how it is. Thank you <flowers>

My DS sounds like your DD so I totally sympathise. He goes for activities that are for younger ages like playdoh, listening to audiobooks, word searches. Today we played cards (go fish).
DD is into diamond painting, drawing (kawaii tutorials on YouTube), reading, Lego, Lego and Lego, picked up an old colouring book recently which surprised me. Music, sewing, knitting and more Lego.

If you want her to do some sport how about one of the console sport games like ring fit. Or an indoor bike whilst she's watching tv, or YouTube yoga/dance/Pilates?