Hi there! As far as I know, autism is a neurological disorder. Till now researchers can't really pinpoint what causes autism. But screen time definitely does not cause autism. However, screen time does cause children to show signs of autism that others might think or see as autism. Such signs are like: - lack of social skills (caused by lack of interaction with humans as they are constantly on their devices) - delayed speech (no opportunities to interact and communicate with people or have two-way conversations, therefore speech is compromised) - short attention span (they are able to only be stimulated by fast images on screens, therefore things other than devices are not stimulating enough for them so they lose interest fast) - throwing tantrums (since they are addicted to screen time, if any of these vices are removed from them they will throw tantrums as they are not taught to regulate their emotions properly) These are mostly like habits that they pick up along the way. Thankfully if baby is still young, you can throw these habits away slowly and wean them off screen time. Slowly replace screen time with more hands-on, sensorial things like a kitchen play set, loose parts play, or even bring them out the see and explore nature. Encourage your baby to interact with other kids at those outdoor or Indoor playgrounds like kidstopia, kidsstop, etc. You can also try to interact and communicate more with baby. Talk to him/her daily, read books. The burden shouldn't always be on you. Your husband and maybe if baby has siblings they can also read to him/her. It takes a lot of effort to ensure baby develops holistically. Educators do not advocate for screen time, but we mothers can't help it sometimes. You can always limit screen time or introduce alternative activities. But if you worry that baby might actually be showing signs of autism, you can get baby referred to KKH via polyclinic. Hopefully they can assist you from there.
As parents, when it comes to observing symptoms of autism in a baby, there are a few key signs to look out for. These signs might manifest in different ways in each child, but some common symptoms include: - Delayed or lack of babbling and pointing by 12 months. - Reduced eye contact or lack of response to their name by 12 months. - Lack of gestures like waving or pointing by 12 months. - Delayed speech development or lack of meaningful words by 16 months. - Difficulty with social interactions or not showing interest in others. - Repetitive behaviors such as hand flapping, rocking, or spinning objects. - Sensory sensitivities like being overly sensitive to lights, sounds, or textures. - Unusual attachment to objects or specific routines. If you notice any of these signs in your baby, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider or a developmental specialist for a proper evaluation and early intervention. Early diagnosis and appropriate interventions can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism. https://invl.io/cll6she
How old is your baby now? It’s not too late to remove screen time from your baby. Baby may cry uncontrollably due to that and you’ll have to stay patient and loving with your baby. Keep giving your baby lots of love, hugs and kisses. Change diaper, shower, or whatever you do with your baby, start describing or sportscasting them so your baby hears them. Talk to your baby with eye contact happily and joyfully and most importantly stress-free. Babies can feel and be affected by our stress easily. Depending on your baby’s age, allow your baby to crawl/move/ jump/walk/run freely in a space that is safe, free of dangerous objects. Allow your baby to explore with their hands, feet, body, taste including sight and hearing to stimulate the brain development. All of the above to be done in a stress free and loving environment. Your baby will improve if it’s really due to screen time and being shouted at etc. I’m glad you’ve thought this through. Jiayou!! You can do this!! :)
I was told by pd to not let them have any screen time. Because research shows it’s linked to autism.
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