Autism and Gaming Addiction: How Much Is Too Much?

We’ve previously discussed the potential benefits of video games for those on the autism spectrum which include cognitive skill development, increased creativity and enhanced social interaction with online peers. However, with the meteoric rise of video game popularity over the last decade, gaming addiction has emerged as a problematic issue for children and adults of all ages and unfortunately, individuals with autism appear to be particularly vulnerable to its negative effects.

According to a published study in Pediatrics, children with autism “may be at particularly high risk for significant problems related to video game play, including excessive and problematic video game use.” This comes as little surprise since the propensity to engage in repetitive activities by autistic individuals often results in excessive screen time, leading to an exacerbation of existing physical and behavioral issues. For example, hardcore gamers may see a change in eating habits, resulting in skipped meals and poor nutrition. Some may also experience an increased risk for seizures due to the flashing and fast-paced images included in video games.  Excessive meltdowns due to unfavorable game outcomes are also problematic.

Gaming addiction has even caught the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO) and just recently, officially recognized “Gaming Disorder” as a mental health condition, adding the disorder to the ICD-11, the organization’s official diagnostic manual. At this time, Gaming Disorder is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), but that may change in the future.

Gaming addiction poses a new set of challenges for individuals with autism and their loved ones because video game play is a common tool used to occupy time. Lockdowns, quarantines and further isolation due to the pandemic have compounded the issue, leaving many wondering “how much is too much?”

This answer will vary on a case-by-case basis, but there appears to be a consensus by experts to limiting screen time to no more than 2 hours per day. For many autism families, this is not practical or realistic, particularly in the COVID-19 era.

As a result, there are some things that can be done to help minimize the potential negative effects such as using gaming privileges on a rewards-based system. Unlocking a fixed amount of game time in exchange for completing chores or school assignments can incentivize children and teens, making them more productive. Additionally, keeping gaming consoles in living rooms and other high traffic areas of a home will help with monitoring and discourage isolation in one’s bedroom.

It’s also a good idea to monitor the types of games that are being played since some have been shown to be much more addictive than others. Some of these titles include:

• Fortnite
• Call of Duty
• Minecraft
• League of Legends
• World of Warcraft
• Animal Crossing
• Call of Duty
• Assassin’s Creed

Just like anything else in life, “too much of a good thing” can often lead to problematic issues, and video games are no different. Staying proactively involved in the amount of time loved ones are putting towards video games and the content they are engaged in will go a long way in creating a healthy balance for all involved.

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