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Parenting

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Autism and addicted to screens

3 replies

Chameleons39 · 02/07/2023 20:20

My teen has autism and is home schooled but slacking. Nothing is as entertaining as a screen and all their energy goes into the online games. When one battery dies they go onto another device till the first one is charged and so on. Since lock down they have gotten too used to it. To be fair they don't have friends or go outside. When they were a child they had an hour a week on the family laptop and had a well rounded life and the screen time was a treat. Now they manage to get around controls so when the devices are taken away they are absolutely miserable and have nothing to do. How can I push them in the right direction?

OP posts:
CadMan · 03/07/2023 11:18

Sports club, gym membership, music lessons, Scouts, Duke of Edinburgh, Army Cadets?

Jellycats4life · 03/07/2023 11:22

Very similar issues with my autistic kids.

The thing is, screens are an important self-regulation tool that I’m reluctant to sabotage. Regular screen time rules just don’t apply to these kids. However I do wish I could get them to cut down just a little… or at the very least figure out alternative means of keeping their brains entertained.

I know they can do it - books and puzzles become really interesting when it’s half an hour or more past bedtime.

Mumtoboys1 · 17/01/2024 23:14

I have not long posted the same kind of topic but this is my life right now! Also homeschooled with younger brother. Can't handle being bored or not entertained for a minute ,they are ok when we go out but obviously I can't be out all day everyday, i don't have any advice as I am also struggling but wanted to know you're not alone!

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