What Is Virtual Autism?

By sandra.caplesc…, 26 October, 2021
Child sitting at a table touching a screen.

We live in the era of technology. In this digital period, we heavily depend on devices such as smartphones, tablets, or computers. They keep us connected to our friends and family and cater to our needs. How often have YOU ordered food through an app instead of going to a restaurant lately? Technology is here to fulfill our needs, make ordering online more comfortable, or help us pay the bill without staying in infinite queues.

Even our young ones can’t live without a mobile phone in their hands, tapping at it endlessly. Over 40% of first-grade students now have their own smartphones. There’s always an exciting game that just came out and, since you want to make your bundle of joy happy, you’ll buy it for him. And while it’s good for the child to stay entertained for hours while you are busy cooking dinner, prolonged exposure to electronic screens can have severe after-effects.

Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has also contributed to an increase in exposure to blue light. It has sealed us in our homes, away from human interaction. Communication is possible through devices because people need to socialize with each other to thrive. But it’s not the same as interacting face-to-face, and even if adults can go through this period easier (more or less), the pandemic stunts a child’s social development.

Since kids cannot go to school yet due to safety precautions, they now have online classes. For many hours a day, the child is exposed to electronic screens out of necessity. That’s why it’s essential to take a break and put the devices out of reach when school has ended. Engage your child in other activities that pull him away from the screen. If you want to do this the right way, read Autism Guide: How to Handle Screen Time.

However, it goes deeper than this. Many studies have shown a link between screen exposure and autism-like symptoms. Though not yet proven, evidence suggests this link—and how children by the age of two are showing signs similar to the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This phenomenon is known as “virtual autism.

So, what is virtual autism? Together, we'll explore this term, where it originated from, as well as virtual autism symptoms and how you can limit screen time exposure. 

About Virtual Autism

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder that includes a spectrum of behaviors. Children with ASD typically have difficulty communicating and interacting with others or understanding social cues. They have very narrow interests and spend hours doing repetitive tasks, such as moving objects from one place to another, seemingly without purpose.

The autistic child lives in his own world, isolated from his peers. Some engage in the virtual environment as a substitute for reality. A virtual reality environment often includes a school, central park, an office building, a restaurant, etc. Often, these people succeed in life due to early intervention and a suitable treatment plan, such as behavioral therapy. But the diagnosis "Your child has autism" scares a lot of parents. 

READ MORE: Telling Your Child About Their Diagnosis

For a new parent, anything seems dangerous, but some are more obvious than others. You’ll never think that a simple device can cause such harm and instill autistic-like behaviors. Some of these devices are beneficial, but the screens are still a barrier to a child’s mental health. A child’s brain, at any age, is developing, and heavy exposure to screens is increasing the risk of autistic-like symptoms and even attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

New studies show how children who spend a lot of time in front of the TV or computer develop a new type of autistic spectrum disorder and autistic-like behaviors. When parents remove the devices from the child, the symptoms subside. This phenomenon is called virtual autism, a term coined by a Romanian clinical psychologist, Marius Zamfir.

“I called it autism because it has [...] perfectly identical symptoms. [...] Symptoms of autism include lack of social reciprocity, lack of visual contact, lack of language development, lack of play, and especially social play,” says Dr. Zamfir. In this case, the autistic child who watches TV gets inadequate stimulation. There is a lack of psychic, motor, and sensory stimulation, so the neurological system does not develop properly.

A study done by the Romanian Autism Center for Children showed that 90% of two-year-old kids are diagnosed with autistic-like behaviors triggered by watching TV. This astonishing rise in autism among youngsters baffled researchers until Zamfir dug into the activity logs of all patients. In those records, he found a trend: children spent four or more hours a day staring at the screen. When the psychiatrist asked the parents to take the child away from the screen and instead go outside and play, he found some surprising results: the symptoms receded. An 8-year old boy took two years to recover fully, along with 82% of children with similar routines. Nowadays, in Romania, treatment for screen withdrawal is highly supported.

A previous study done by JAMA Pediatrics said that children with ASD prefer screens, and most are relying on screens to self-regulate. JAMA Pediatrics state that screen engagement is the result rather than the causal factor of autistic-like behaviors. Furthermore, a UCLA Children’s Digital Media Center study compared two groups of children at an outdoor camp. They shared similar demographic backgrounds and showed autistic-like symptoms after screen exposure. One group had no access to devices or any screens of any kind, while the other went on as usual. After a while, the kids in the first group that interacted with the staff and other kids improved their emotional and social engagement significantly.

There is also a startling rise in autism diagnoses in the US. In 1975, there was one child in 5000 diagnosed with autism. In 2014, there was one child in 68 that had an autism diagnosis. Today, a kid is 100 times more likely to be diagnosed with autism or autistic-like behaviors than before. And one plausible cause is the invention of the TV in 1975 and the following technological boom.

So, why does this happen?

Two French doctors, experts in child development, provide some answers. Their YouTube video named Screens: Danger for children from 0-4 years old warns parents of children with ASD about the rising tide of virtual autism. Dr. Ducanda and Dr. Terrasse pointed out how screen time prevented children from developing an everyday social life. They also added that the children repeat the words they hear without knowing what they mean. They can’t associate words with actions. Even if a child can count, they don’t know what numbers are.

Consequences

Screen time destroys neurological links due to inadequate stimulation. The visual and auditory stimuli received from the screen rush aggressively, and a child’s developing brain can’t control them. As a result, it will inhibit any mental process. Since the screen absorbs the child, he won’t understand what’s happening around him. A child won’t correlate these visuals and auditory sensations with vestibular, tactile, and odor sensations. He’ll only be happy with the feelings he’s receiving from a simulated world.

Children learn through social interaction or by playing with real objects. A child puts an object in his mouth or throws it on the ground to connect words and actions. Without this sense of touch, the child's brain won't healthily develop because the child gets addicted and distracted by the screen. It also isolates the child from human interaction, so the child won't communicate needs and wants. Furthermore, the noise and light from screens generate painful emotions the kid can barely cope with. It's no surprise that it triggers violent and aggressive behavior in the child.

Watching more than two hours of television can also increase the risk of obesity in older children. Since they do not lead an active life, they're at risk for other severe issues, such as diabetes. There is also a higher incidence of depression and suicide in teenagers that spend many hours on screens because they won't make friends easily and are often bullied. Children constantly exposed to blue light also suffer from sleeping issues and have fewer chances of solving problems or being creative.

Language delay is also a significant consequence of screen time. It will lead to many academic challenges in real life. The use of screens hinders the development of fine motor skills such as grasping or handwriting. Children constantly playing video games are at a higher risk of developing impulsive behaviors or have trouble self-regulating.

Early intervention, especially before three years old, will impede the development of more acute autistic-like behaviors. As the child grows older, the difference in perceptions and sensations will come at higher costs and be more challenging to overcome.

How to Handle Screen Time

Screens are part of our lives, whether we like them or not. While we cannot eliminate them and there's no autism virtual treatment, there are ways to reduce the use of electronic devices. Remember that you serve as a role model to your child, so show him that you can also switch off when needed. As a parent, you can influence your child's behavior and equip them with the tools they need to create healthy habits.

You should adhere to these rules:

  • Children under two (younger than 18 months or between 18 and 24 months of age) should not be exposed to blue light other than video-chatting. If you want to introduce your child to media, do it by choosing high-quality programs, and explain to your child what he's seeing;
  • Children from two to five years old should spend one hour on devices. Watch the programs with your child to help them apply what he sees into the real world;
  • For older children above six years old, put limits on the time they spend on a device. Make sure it doesn't interfere with sleeping time or other outdoor activities beneficial for their health.

Limiting screen exposure can help you keep an eye on your little one. If you create a schedule your child can easily follow, then it will significantly simplify your life. For children with autism, use a visual cue such as a timer. This way, they will know how long they can play. Autistic kids like routine, so plan and add as many activities as you can. Physical activity is vital because it boosts emotional health.

Remember to find activities your child likes and offer rewards for good behavior. Make sure to remove any gadget from your child's bedroom, so they won't be tempted to use them. Put them in a shared space where you can monitor your child's activity. Try to attract your youngster with exciting toys. After all, you make the rules. But take it slow. Taking their devices away all of a sudden might cause them to throw temper tantrums.

Maybe try to sign your child to a sport; there are plenty of options. Read this article to learn more about The Best & Worst Sports for Kids with Autism. Sports will teach them patience, discipline, and the skill they need to cope in unexpected situations. If they make a friend they can connect with quickly due to similar passions, then that's great! Give it a try.

Don’t Lose Hope

There is not much research on the link between mobile technology and social communication deficit, but it's impossible not to ignore the concerns it raises. Children are the future, and we must help them live healthy lives.

However, limiting screen time is not an easy task. Especially now, during the pandemic, your child will be exposed to screens. Your child will probably throw tantrums, so it's essential to stand firm and, most of all, be patient. Some members of your family will also be annoyed with you if you turn off all devices in the house. But, for a parent, a child's health is everything. It would be best if you supported this lifestyle change, so you might want to ask a knowledgeable therapist to point you in the right direction.

Spend more time with your child; the benefits are worth it. Designate media-free times together or areas where your kid doesn't get to use harmful devices. It's also important to note that screen time doesn't necessarily lead to ASD but rather ASD-like symptoms. Autism is a neurological disorder identified by repetitive behaviors, so communication and social skills are a challenge for the child. Only a pediatrician can observe the existence or absence of these behaviors, so it's crucial to get diagnosed if you are worried.

If your child is diagnosed with autism, take steps to limit screen use. In the end, you know your child best, and you need to protect their minds however you can.