Virtual Autism
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Article Summary:
- Virtual autism is not an official diagnosis, but a commonly used term to describe autism-like traits and developmental delays linked to excessive screen time and a lack of real-life interaction.
- Early and excessive exposure to screens, especially when it replaces caregiver interaction and real-world experiences, is associated with delays in communication, social skills, and general development.
- Major paediatric and psychiatric associations recommend no screens for children under 18 months, very limited screen time for children under 6, and controlled use thereafter.
- There has been a rapid global increase in autism diagnoses over the past 25 years; experts believe environmental factors, including screen exposure, may contribute, although the exact proportion is unknown.
- Common virtual autism symptoms include social withdrawal, speech and communication delays, obsessive use of digital devices, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties with imaginative play and sleep.
- Early identification, reducing screen exposure, and increasing rich real-world interaction can significantly improve outcomes, and in many cases lead to full recovery.
What is Virtual Autism
Even though Virtual Autism is not an official diagnosis included in the DSM-5 or the ICD today, it is a commonly used term to describe a group of autism-like traits and symptoms. These symptoms include developmental delays in young children directly caused by excessive exposure to screen time, the lack of connection and social interaction with primary caregivers, and a shortage of exposure to real-life activities.
Other common terms often used for this condition and group of symptoms include:
- Pseudo-autism (Screen-induced Autism Traits)
- Screen Addiction Syndrome
- Screen Autism
- Autistic-Like Traits (ALT)
- Digital Nanny Autism Syndrome
- Excessive Screen Syndrome
- Screentime Developmental Delays
- Screen Time Behavioural Issues
- Screen-related Social Neglect
Why Excessive Screen Time Is a Concern
There is a growing concern and body of evidence worldwide about the negative impact of excessive screen time on the general and cognitive development of young children. Professional paediatricians, paediatric interventionists, neuroscientists, general medical practitioners, teachers, and parents are all reporting similar negative effects and developmental delays in young children.
Despite recommendations from different paediatric and medical associations around the world to withhold screen access from infants and limit use in young children, experts are seeing a significant increase in screen time and subsequent negative effects. Any time a child’s screen exposure exceeds the official guidelines, there is a risk of negative impact. The longer the exposure to electronics per day, the greater the chances for virtual autism symptoms and other significant delays.
Current recommendations by the AACAP (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry) on screen exposure include:
- No electronics or screens for children under 18 months,
- A maximum of an hour in total per day for children 18 months – 5 years, and
- A maximum of 2 hours in total per day for children aged 6 and up.
What Is Screen Time?
Screen time is defined as the time per day that children spend on or around electronic devices. It includes the time children spend actively interacting with screens in their environment, including TVs, laptops, iPads and tablets, smart phones, and other devices.
Screen time, however, is not limited to children actively looking at screens; it also includes auditory exposure when these devices provide music or sound in the background.
Rapid Growth in Autism Diagnosis
There has been an explosion of autism diagnoses over the past 25 years. This rapid increase is seen worldwide, also in Asia. Improved diagnostic methods and increased awareness are often cited as explanations, but experts warn that these two factors do not support such a rapid increase.
The increase reported in the United States of America over the last 22 years for children with autism (children under 8):
- 2000 – the diagnosis was 1 out of 150
- 2006 – the diagnosis rose to 1 out of 110
- 2010 – the diagnosis was 1 out of 68
- 2016 – the diagnosis was 1 out of 54
- 2020 – the diagnosis was 1 out of 36
- 2022 – the diagnosis was 1 out of every 31 children
The diagnosis is 3 times higher in boys than girls, and research suggests environmental factors contribute at least half towards autism diagnosis. From statistics, it cannot currently be determined how many of these diagnosed children are showing symptoms due to excessive screen time compared to traditional autism diagnoses.
What Are the Common Symptoms?
To untrained parents, it is difficult to differentiate between autism and virtual autism. It is important to remember that with many brain development challenges, not all children display the same symptoms. All children with different forms of virtual autism traits have experienced excessive exposure to screen time and a shortage of real-world experiences.
This is why it is very important to contact me as soon as possible for a professional consultation on your child’s individual situation. The most common symptoms experts, specialists, and paediatric medical professionals are currently seeing include, but are not limited to:
- Communication delays
- Social withdrawal or disengagement
- Speech delays
- Difficulty with regular real-world interaction
- Lack of interest in other children or people in general
- Obsessive use and proximity to electronics / digital devices
- General developmental delays
- Short attention span
- Repetitive behaviours
- An inability to delay gratification
- Emotional dysregulation related to digital devices
- Hyperactivity
- Lack of imaginative play
- Disinterest in non-electronic toys
- Sensory sensitivity or sensory confusion
- Physical inactivity
- Obsession with metallic objects or lines
- Selective hearing
- Disrupted and light sleep (inability to sleep without an electronic device)
- Picky eating or general disinterest in food
The Good News
The good news is the younger virtual autism is correctly identified and treated, the larger the chances for a full recovery. Virtual autism differs from autism in the length of treatment required and the level the brain is able to recover.
Most children I have had in my care with early identification and immediate intervention have made a full recovery. These children have proceeded to excel at school, in sport, and in normal healthy activities, including social interaction with peers. Early screening, correct identification, and immediate diagnosis are key for long-term success.
The Challenges and Next Steps
The bad news is that there are very few experts who can correctly identify and treat this condition, especially outside of research hubs currently investigating this new phenomenon.
Has your infant, toddler, or young child been exposed to excessive electronic use or background noise? Are you as a parent spending excessive amounts of time on your smartphone, regularly ignoring or neglecting your child’s emotional and social needs? Is your little one showing signs of developmental delays or social challenges?
Contact me immediately. The sooner we can start treatment, the quicker we can neutralize the negative impact.