As we all begin shopping for Christmas, it seems a good time to look at electronics and the role they play in social skills or the lack of them. Many children and adolescents on the autism spectrum are quite obsessed and fascinated with video games, computer sites and games, movies, TV shows, and handheld games. However, this becomes an addiction with these children as they are unable to turn off the thoughts of these and transition back to real life. Electronics provide a 2 dimensional, static world that appeals to those on the autism spectrum. It is predictable, and it is safe. However, it does not develop relationship skills. A child does not have to look at anyone or talk to anyone when they play these. I see time and again children who do not even look up at anyone because they are immersed in their DS or PSP, or whom can only talk about games they play or movies they saw and don't know how to talk about anything else. Social skills and relationships take practice, practice, practice. The more we interact, the more we learn about the effects of what we do on others, how others act, what others talk about and so on. Children on the autism spectrum need this practice even more so than the neurotypical child . For Christmas, do your child a favor and buy less electronics. Spend the holiday time playing old-fashioned board games together, building things together, decorating and cooking together, or taking a walk or bike ride. Teach and play the typical childhood games they may not know how to play- Tag, Red Rover, Red Light/Green Light, Mother May I, kickball, soccer, dodge ball, checkers, uno, tic tac toe, hangman...
Happy Shopping!