Psychiatry RAISR4D

Patterns of early exposure to screens by children with ASD

30/12/2025

Discov Ment Health. 2025 Dec 30;5(1):211. doi: 10.1007/s44192-025-00318-y.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To further explore and discuss the characteristics of exposure to screens in Autism Spectrum Disorder in the Tunisian context.

METHODS: This case control study explored the exposure to TV in 150 children with ASD, aged 1 to 4 years old in comparison to a comparable group of 150 typically developing children.

RESULTS: Results showed Significant differences were observed between groups regarding the age of television viewing onset (4 vs. 14 months) and daily viewing duration (7 h vs. <1 h). Children with ASD predominantly viewed television alone, showing preference for repetitive content such as music videos, with viewing occurring throughout the day. Television exposure served as both a child-occupying strategy and a parental soothing technique, and was associated with increased autistic symptomatology.

CONCLUSION: While acknowledging methodological limitations, this study suggests that the impact of early intensive screen exposure warrants further investigation in ASD populations.

PMID:41467923 | DOI:10.1007/s44192-025-00318-y

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