Electronic Screen Media for Persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Results of a Survey

• Published in: Journal of autism and developmental disorders Vol. 38; no. 8; pp. 1499 - 1508
• Main Authors: Shane, Howard C., Albert, Patti Ducoff
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01-09-2008; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Animation; Attention; Autism; Autistic children; Autistic Disorder - diagnosis; Autistic Disorder - psychology; Autistic spectrum disorders; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Biological and medical sciences; Caregivers; Child; Child and School Psychology; Child clinical studies; Children; Choice Behavior; Computer Literacy; Computer Terminals; Computers; Concept Formation; Developmental disorders; Educational Environment; Female; Humans; Imitation; Imitative Behavior; Infantile autism; Language Acquisition; Learning; Learning Strategies; Leisure Activities; Male; Medical sciences; Motion Pictures; Neurosciences; Original Paper; Parenting - psychology; Parents; Pediatrics; Pervasive Developmental Disorders; Problem Solving; Psychology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychomotor Performance; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Public Health; Questionnaires; Social Environment; Software; Surveys; Surveys and Questionnaires; Teaching Methods; Television; Visual Aids; Visual imagery; Visual Perception; Autism spectrum disorders; Video modeling; Media; Autism; Observational learning; Human; Developmental disorder; Social learning; Video recording; Survey; Pervasive developmental disorder; Leisure; Preference; Observation; Child
• ISSN: 0162-3257; 1573-3432
• DOI: 10.1007/s10803-007-0527-5

Social and anecdotal reports suggest a predilection for visual media among individuals on the autism spectrum, yet no formal investigation has explored the extent of that use. Using a distributed questionnaire design, parents and caregivers report on time allotted toward media, including observable behaviors and communicative responses. More time was spent engaged with electronic screen media (ESM) than any other leisure activity. Television and movie viewing was more popular than computer usage. Across media platforms, animated programs were more highly preferred. Prevalent verbal and physical imitation was reported to occur during and following exposure to ESM. Clinical implications to strategically incorporate ESM into learning approaches for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are provided.