Screen Time

🖥 Many people have strong opinions about screen time. Whether you allow limited screen time, no screen time, or unlimited screen time, it doesn't make you a good parent or a bad one. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and we encourage you to make your own decisions about what's appropriate for you and your kiddos. It's really not a case of right or wrong. It's a matter of what works best for your family and your child.

📱Not all autistic people relate to screens the same way. Everyone has individual preferences and interests. Some may learn better from screens than the old-fashioned way. Some may have adverse reactions; becoming overstimulated or distressed.

📺 Many autistic people use screens as a regulation tool. This is because the world can be hard and overwhelming. If your kid is super distressed and overwhelmed when screens are turned off, this may indicate that the reality they are returning to is really rough for them. Regulation tools are essential.

- A way forward may be to try and make things easier and less dysregulating for them. Start with removing neurotypical expectations. Explore regulation tools and strategies, reduce sensory overwhelm, provide sensory input, address masking, and help them find their joy.

🖥 Autistic people often experience the world differently. Sensory input is often too intense, emotions can be all consuming, societal expectations feel impossible, and the world often seems uncaring & ableist. It can be hard to imagine another person’s experience, especially when others have different brains & sensory processing systems.

📺 Screentime advantages:

▪️For many, screentime is a break from a world that is complex and often scary.

▪️It’s a source of self-regulation.

▪️Gives them control in a world that is often chaotic

▪️Allows for exploration of new worlds, roles, & power dynamics that are otherwise unavailable.

▪️Helps in exploring interests and developing new skills.

▪️Brings comfort & deep joy.

▪️Provides access to inclusive communities.

▪️Allows them to learn, create, & socialise without the expectation for eye contact or verbal speech.

📺 Screentime concerns:

▪️Sometimes, children can become overwhelmed or even obsessed about screen time.

▪️You may need to establish limits and boundaries.

▪️Pay attention to what their watching. If it's causing distress, redirect to a different show or to a physical activity.

▪️Allow screen time only after they've spent some time doing something else, like playing outside or perhaps some sensory play.

▪️Establish parental controls that turn the device off after a certain amount of time. Set alarms or timers so they know when the end time is approaching.

📺✨️Tips for screen time transitioning:

▪️Adult flexibility & empathy are important and can be very effective during transition

▪️Give warning about upcoming transitions, e.g.,

- ‘Dinner in 10 minutes. Screens will be turned off.’

- 'Turning off in 5 minutes. How many minutes?’

- ‘Time for dinner. Are you able to save it/pause it there?’

▪️Your child may be a few minutes away from a save point/end of level/song/video. Having their screen turned off at this moment is likely to be very distressing. Asking them how much longer they need can be a good way to teach time management & planning skills (i.e., learning to choose a short video at the 5-minute warning)

▪️Giving those extra few minutes makes the transition easier and reinforces the message that the child’s feelings are important.

📺 We have come up with some recommendations for shows based on information from our group members. ✨️

📚 Educational, Top 5 Suggestions:

▪️Ms Rachel

▪️Numberblocks

▪️Alphablocks

▪️Signing Time

▪️Word Party

🎵 Music, Top 5 Suggestions:

▪️Super Simple Songs

▪️Gracie's Corner

▪️Little Baby Bum

▪️Cocomelon

▪️Badanamu

📺 Shows, Top 5 Suggestions:

▪️Steve & Maggie

▪️Pocoyo

▪️Brain Candy

▪️Peppa Pig

▪️Story Bots

📚 Educational, Additional Suggestions:

▪️Blippi

▪️Bob the Train

▪️Super Why

▪️Yakkadee

▪️Caity's Classroom

▪️Sesame Street

▪️Bri Reads

▪️Animal Island Learning

▪️Paisley Corner

▪️Hopscotch

▪️Math Party

▪️Akili & Me

▪️Word World

▪️Umtums

▪️Leapfrog

▪️Little Einsteins

▪️Fisher Price Laugh & Learn

▪️Color Crew

🎵 Music, Additional Suggestions:

▪️Jack Hartman

▪️Dava & Ava

▪️Doggyland

▪️Busy Beavers

▪️DBillions

▪️Mother Goose Club

▪️Lingokids

▪️Bounce Patrol

▪️Hip Hop Owl

▪️Jools TV

▪️Dream English Kids

▪️Scratch Garden

▪️Baby First

▪️Wiggles

📺 Shows, Additional Suggestions:

▪️Hey Duggee

▪️Daniel Tiger

▪️Blaze and Monster Machines

▪️Blues clues

▪️Pinkfong

▪️Geckos Garage

▪️Handy Man Hal

▪️Lucas and Friends

▪️Cory Carson

▪️Ryan's World

▪️Mighty Little Bheem

▪️Sunny Bunnies

▪️Genevieves Playhouse

▪️Dr. Binos Show

▪️Imagination Room

▪️Charlies Colourform City

▪️Octonauts

▪️Magic School Bus

▪️Sid the Science Kid

▪️Ben & Holly

▪️Bluey

▪️Go Dog Go

😊 Feel free to share additional suggestions or your experiences 😊