Virtual Autism – A New Threat To Toddlers

Virtual autism is a condition that is understood to occur when young children under the age of four are exposed to excessive screen time. Studies have shown that children with autism show impaired social communication skills and repetitive behaviours. When children spend hours a day interacting with screens, it can lead to reduced brain function and challenging behaviour.

It is thought that this may be caused by the fact that many of the games and apps we use on our phones, tablets, and computers have been developed specifically for children. This has led to an increase in prevalence among children under four years old.

Over-exposure to screentime is defined by experts as more than two hours per day. More than this has been found to affect brain development, leading to cognitive abilities being affected, speech delay and certain behavioural issues, resulting in children that are not able to interact positively with their peers. The age up to three years is very crucial for any toddler to develop language and speech skills.

It is through observing lip movements of those around them that babies learn to speak. Experts opine that if this is replaced by mimicking characters as seen on TV, developmental issues are sure to develop in the child. To find features in children, parents should pay attention to every activity of the child, especially when the child is playing games on the mobile phone computer or PC, watching movies.

If these symptoms are ignored, then your child will grow up with this idea. Takes this direction. The baby is small. As their symptoms start to appear, you have more time. You can stop your child early, which affects his mental capacity.

The symptoms of virtual autism are like other forms of autism. The main difference is that they do not have any physical symptoms. Some of the major symptoms found in children are:

• They can’t interact in society and are unable to speak, read, or write.
• Lack of eye contact.
• inability to play with other people.
• Unusual speech patterns.

Physical activities have a major impact on the emotional development of the child. Emotional health is very important for the development of the child and can be greatly stimulated by movement. With the help of sports, the child grows physically, mentally, and emotionally fulfilled. Sports stimulate interactions.

Encourage parents to seek professional guidance if they have concerns about their toddler’s development or if they suspect symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Provide resources for finding qualified professionals who specialize in early intervention and autism assessment.

While technology has its benefits, it is crucial to navigate the digital landscape with caution, especially when it comes to toddlers’ development. By understanding the risks and challenges of “virtual autism” and implementing strategies for healthy technology use, we can create a balanced environment that supports optimal development and sets the stage for toddlers to thrive both in the virtual world and the real world.

Let us embrace technology as a tool while prioritizing face-to-face interactions, sensory experiences, and age-appropriate activities to foster healthy growth and development in our youngest learners.

Encourage parents to seek professional guidance if they have concerns about their toddler’s development or if they suspect symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. Provide resources for finding qualified professionals who specialize in early intervention and autism assessment.

At Jeevaniyam, we are a team of experts who want to help as many parents as possible understand what is happening with their children so they can take adequate actions. Our protocol includes a combination of ayurvedic protocols, diet and physical activities which will enable the child to improve their physical, mental and emotional health.