Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Objective: Screen-based media (e.g. television, computer, cell phone, tablet) has become an increasingly important part of our life. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known to be interested in limited subjects and highly attracted to screens. The purpose of this study is to investigat...
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| Language: | English |
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Istanbul University Press
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Çocuk Dergisi |
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| Online Access: | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/1EFFF5FCFF28417AAE3F6A54DA447BD2 |
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| author | Kevser Nalbant Semih Erden |
| author_facet | Kevser Nalbant Semih Erden |
| author_sort | Kevser Nalbant |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective: Screen-based media (e.g. television, computer, cell phone, tablet) has become an increasingly important part of our life. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known to be interested in limited subjects and highly attracted to screens. The purpose of this study is to investigate the time of screen use in newly diagnosed children with ASD and the association between screen time and symptom severity of ASD. Methods: The symptom severity of ASD was determined using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Information concerning socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data, and frequency and duration of children’s screen exposure since birth were collected during clinical interviews from the primary caregivers. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the associated factors on symptom severity of ASD. Results: In our study, it was found that children with ASD use screens at an earlier age and for a longer period of time when compared to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Also, our results indicated that longer daily screen time and longer periods of no interaction during screen time <24 months, >1 h ⁄ day were associated with the symptom severity of ASD. Discussion: This study suggests that longer daily screen time in early childhood might increase the symptom severity of ASD. These results support that appropriate guidance and education for parents on how to optimize the benefits and potential harms of screen use may be a substantial preventive mental and public health service to support the socio-emotional development for early childhood. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f225f23a558042dcb51e5b22a0be90ff |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1308-8491 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | Istanbul University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Çocuk Dergisi |
| spelling | doaj-art-f225f23a558042dcb51e5b22a0be90ff2025-08-20T03:53:18ZengIstanbul University PressÇocuk Dergisi1308-84912022-05-01221485710.26650/jchild.2022.946883123456Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum DisorderKevser Nalbant0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4261-1013Semih Erden1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7723-9584Hacettepe Üniversitesi, Ankara, TurkiyeNecmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi, Konya, TurkiyeObjective: Screen-based media (e.g. television, computer, cell phone, tablet) has become an increasingly important part of our life. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are known to be interested in limited subjects and highly attracted to screens. The purpose of this study is to investigate the time of screen use in newly diagnosed children with ASD and the association between screen time and symptom severity of ASD. Methods: The symptom severity of ASD was determined using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Information concerning socio-demographic characteristics, clinical data, and frequency and duration of children’s screen exposure since birth were collected during clinical interviews from the primary caregivers. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the associated factors on symptom severity of ASD. Results: In our study, it was found that children with ASD use screens at an earlier age and for a longer period of time when compared to the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Also, our results indicated that longer daily screen time and longer periods of no interaction during screen time <24 months, >1 h ⁄ day were associated with the symptom severity of ASD. Discussion: This study suggests that longer daily screen time in early childhood might increase the symptom severity of ASD. These results support that appropriate guidance and education for parents on how to optimize the benefits and potential harms of screen use may be a substantial preventive mental and public health service to support the socio-emotional development for early childhood.https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/1EFFF5FCFF28417AAE3F6A54DA447BD2autismchildrenscreen timesocioemotional development |
| spellingShingle | Kevser Nalbant Semih Erden Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder Çocuk Dergisi autism children screen time socioemotional development |
| title | Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder |
| title_full | Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder |
| title_fullStr | Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder |
| title_full_unstemmed | Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder |
| title_short | Investigation of Screen Time and Symptom Severity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder |
| title_sort | investigation of screen time and symptom severity in children with autistic spectrum disorder |
| topic | autism children screen time socioemotional development |
| url | https://cdn.istanbul.edu.tr/file/JTA6CLJ8T5/1EFFF5FCFF28417AAE3F6A54DA447BD2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kevsernalbant investigationofscreentimeandsymptomseverityinchildrenwithautisticspectrumdisorder AT semiherden investigationofscreentimeandsymptomseverityinchildrenwithautisticspectrumdisorder |