On a sunny weekend afternoon, Kiki sat in the corner of the living room, his eyes glued to the screen of his tablet, his fingers swiping rapidly over the screen. For Kiki, an autistic child, electronic devices are like a magical window into a world like no other. In this world, he can escape the troubles and anxieties of reality and find his own peace and fun.
However, Kiki's parents are both relieved and worried. They found that Kiki was spending more and more time on electronic devices and seemed to be increasingly dependent on the virtual world. They can't help but wonder: what is the appeal of electronic devices to children with autism? And how to manage your child's screen time reasonably?
For children with autism, electronic devices often have an irresistible appeal. The psychological mechanisms behind this are mainly as follows:
1.Visual stimuli and attention attractionThe screens of electronic devices are often brightly colored and dynamic, and these visual stimuli can easily attract the attention of children with autism. And for these children, maintaining attention is often a challenge, so they are more likely to be attracted to electronic devices.
2.Social interaction and communication channels: Although children with autism have difficulties with socializing, electronic devices provide them with a relatively easy channel for social interaction. They can communicate with other people through electronic devices, which relieves social stress.
3.Self-stimulating and soothing effects: Some simple, repetitive tasks and activities in electronic devices, such as games, **, etc., can provide self-stimulation and soothing effects for children with autism. These activities help them relieve anxiety and stress and find inner peace.
However, although electronic devices have a certain positive effect on children with autism,However, over-dependence can also bring a series of negative effects, such as reduced real-life social interactions, affecting vision, etc. Therefore, parents need to manage their children's screen time wisely.
1.Set a clear time limit: ParentsYesSet a limit on how long you can use electronic devices each day based on your child's age, health condition, and other factors.
2.A variety of activities are availableParents can encourage their children to participate in a variety of activities, such as outdoor sports, handicrafts, painting, etc., to enrich their children's life experience.
3.Strengthen parent-child interaction and communicationParents can participate in some fun activities with their children, such as reading books, playing games, etc., to enhance the parent-child relationship.
4.Set goals and rewardsParents can work with their children to set specific goals, such as reducing the amount of time they spend on electronic devices each week.
Kiki's parents knew that this dependence was not good for his upbringing, so they decided to take a series of measures to help him get out of his situation.
1.Establish clear rules and time limits
Kiki's parents were with him firstA daily limit on the use of electronic devices was established, with a clear state that only one hour per day could be used. To ensure that the rules are enforced, they also set up a timer in their home that alerts Kiki when the time is up, and Kiki must stop using his electronic devices.
2.Provide alternative activities and interest development
In order to give Kiki more options, his parents bought some toys and books suitable for his age and encouraged him to try different activities. They found out that Kiki was particularly interested in painting and enrolled him in a painting class. Every week, Kiki goes to class with great anticipation to learn and communicate with other children.
3.Parent-child interaction and emotional communication
Kiki's parents realizedChildren with autism often lack social skills and emotional communication. In order to improve the situation, they began to actively participate in Kiki's activities, painting, playing games, doing crafts with him, etc. These parent-child interactions not only make Kiki happy, but also enhance their emotional connection.
4.Introduce social opportunities to interact with peers
In order to give Kiki more opportunities to socialize,His parents invited some of the neighbor's children to come and play. At first, Kiki seemed a little shy and uneasy, but with the encouragement and guidance of his parents, he gradually began to interact with other children. They play games, share toys, and tell stories together, and Kiki gradually learns how to communicate and work together.
5.Constant encouragement and positive feedback
Whenever Kiki makes a little progress, his parents give timely encouragement and positive feedback. They will praise him for his work in the drawing class, his interaction with other children, and his compliance with the rules for the use of electronic devices. These encouragements and positive feedback have made Kiki more confident and positive in the face of challenges.
After a period of hard work, Kiki has changed significantly. He is no longer overly reliant on electronic devices and is actively involved in various activities and social interactions. His drawing skills have improved and he has won an award at the school's art exhibition. What's more, Kiki has become more emotionally connected to his parents and others, and he has also become more cheerful and confident.