Screen-based media usage among children with autism spectrum disorder and their mothers

Abstract EN

Background and Objectives: Screen-based media are becoming a popular tool for leisure and increasing productivity.

Our objective was to compare the Screen-Based Media (SBM) usage between children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their mothers, in terms of the device type and duration of daily use.

Methods: Ninety-seven (n=97) mothers of children diagnosed with ASD and attending Center A and Center B constituted the study sample (cases).

The control group comprised healthy children whose SBM usage had been measured previously in a similar study using similar methodology (N=75).

A special data collection sheet was designed to collect information such as demographic data, type of SBM devices used, and duration of daily usage, using a structured questionnaire.

Results: Mothers used smartphones more frequently (P=0.001) whereas children with ASD used (P=0.001) tablets (P=0.001).

Both mothers and children with ASD used television at the same rate (P=0.924).

Mothers’ used SBM for >5 hours per day, which was similar to the screen time of children with ASD.

Conclusion: Mothers’ SBM usage was high and was comparable to that of children with ASD.

Clinical implications and future directions were discussed to modify such behaviors.