Researchers say children and teens with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are more likely to develop problematic video game habits.
A University of Missouri researcher found children with ASD use screen-based media, such as television and video games, more often than their typically developing peers.
"Many parents and clinicians have noticed that children with ASD are fascinated with technology, and the results of our recent studies certainly support this idea," said Micah Mazurek, an assistant professor of health psychology and a clinical child psychologist.
"We found that children with ASD spent much more time playing video games than typically developing children, and they are much more likely to develop problematic or addictive patterns of video game play."
Mazurek studied screen-based media use among 202 children and adolescents with ASD and 179 typically developing siblings.
Compared to typically developing children, those with ASD spent more time playing video games and less time on social media, such as Facebook. Children with ASD also spent more time watching television and playing video games than participating in pro-social or physical activities.
Conversely, typically developing children spent more time on non-screen activities than on television or video games. In another study of 169 boys with ASD, problematic video game use was associated with oppositional behaviours, such as refusing to follow directions or engaging in arguments.
Mazurek says carefully controlled research is needed to examine these issues in the future.
"Because these studies were cross-sectional, it is not clear if there is a causal relationship between video game use and problem behaviours," Mazurek said.
"Children with ASD may be attracted to video games because they can be rewarding, visually engaging and do not require face-to-face communication or social interaction.
"Parents need to be aware that, although video games are especially reinforcing for children with ASD, children with ASD may have problems disengaging from these games."
Even though too much screen time could be detrimental for children with ASD, learning what children with ASD enjoy about video games could help researchers and clinicians develop therapies using the technology.
(psychcentral.com)
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What is autism?
Autism is a brain disorder that often makes it hard to communicate with and relate to others. With autism, the different areas of the brain fail to work together.
Most people with autism will always have some trouble relating to others. But early diagnosis and treatment have helped more and more people who have autism to reach their full potential.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of autism include:
�2 A delay in learning to talk, or not talking at all. A child may seem to be deaf, even though hearing tests are normal.
�2 Repeated and overused types of behaviour, interests, and play. Examples include repeated body rocking, unusual attachments to objects, and getting very upset when routines change.
There is no "typical" person with autism. People can have many different kinds of behaviours, from mild to severe. Parents often say that their child with autism prefers to play alone and does not make eye contact with other people.
Autism may also include other problems:
�2 Many children have below-normal intelligence.
�2 Teenagers often become depressed and have a lot of anxiety, especially if they have average or above-average intelligence.
�2 Some children get a seizure disorder such as epilepsy by their teen years.
How can your family deal with having a child with autism?
An important part of your child's treatment plan is making sure that other family members get training about autism and how to manage symptoms. Training can reduce family stress and help your child function better. Some families need more help than others.
Take advantage of every kind of help you can find. Talk to your doctor about what help is available where you live. Family, friends, public agencies and autism organisations are all possible resources. (webmd.com)
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