Children and teenagers with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to become addicted to video games, though they are less interested in using social media sites.
The study – entitled “Television, Video Game and Social Media Use among Children with ASD and Typically Developing Siblings” – considered the use of screen-based media by over 200 youths with ASD, and over 170 of their “typically developing” siblings.
“Many parents and clinicians have noticed that children with ASD are fascinated with technology, and the results of our recent studies certainly support this idea,” said Micah Mazurek, assistant professor of health psychology and a clinical child psychologist at the University of Missouri.
“We found that children with ASD spent much more time playing video games than typically developing children, and they are much more likely to develop problematic or addictive patterns of video game play.”
The ASD group of children spent much more time playing on screen-based games and watching television, and were less likely to use social media sites such as Facebook. The researchers noted one reason for this may be that such games are very visual, and do not require social interaction.
“Children with ASD may be attracted to video games because they can be rewarding, visually engaging and do not require face-to-face communication or social interaction. Parents need to be aware that, although video games are especially reinforcing for children with ASD, children with ASD may have problems disengaging from these games,” Mazurek said.
On the other hand, the study also concluded that video games – when used in appropriate measures – may prove useful tools in the treatment of young people with ASD.
“Using screen-based technologies, communication and social skills could be taught and reinforced right away,” Mazurek explained.
“However, more research is needed to determine whether the skills children with ASD might learn in virtual reality environments would translate into actual social interactions.”
