Is the Internet Helpful for Autistic Individuals?

The modern “digital generation” of children and adolescents spends excessive amounts of time in front of monitors and mobile device screens. While the long-term consequences are still uncertain, it can be assumed that for autistic individuals, these effects may be especially negative.

According to several studies, prolonged internet use is unsafe for everyone, including from medical, psychological, and social perspectives. Of course, this is not to suggest banning young people from exploring the virtual world entirely. However, it is important to note that young children who spend more than two hours a day in front of screens may face an increased risk of delays in language and communication skills development. Furthermore, such activities may also lead to behavioral changes typical of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

For autistic individuals, the risk of delayed speech and social skills development, as well as signs of attention deficit, is already higher. Thus, questions arise: how can the time they spend online be limited, what methods should be used, and is this even necessary?

Computer use should be regulated to prevent excessive immersion in the virtual world. Achieving this requires not only parental intervention but also developing habits of self-control, which can be immensely helpful as the child transitions into adulthood.

1. First, it would be beneficial to establish a daily routine. At home, rules tend to be less strict than at school, and many children use the computer when they have nothing else to do because parents haven’t provided an alternative activity. For adults, the simplest way to reduce the time the child spends online is to decide together what activities they will do and when. Actively involving children in planning is especially important for autistic individuals, who tend to stick to routines to better understand what’s happening.
2. A certain level of firmness should be applied, setting specific times when the child can use the computer or mobile devices. It is also useful to explain the sequence of events — for example, coming home from school, doing homework, having lunch, and only then accessing the internet (the order can, of course, be adjusted).
3. Another approach involves changing the environment around the child. If the computer, TV, or other electronics are placed not in the child’s bedroom but in common areas, parents can more easily control how much time the child spends online. If chargers and other peripheral devices are placed there as well, the child will need to ask for permission — in other words, they will have to communicate with the parents and engage in social interaction, which is important in itself.
4. It is important to be gentle, not to dictate conditions. To distract children, offer new activities and give them attention. Encourage self-control — the child should be able to regulate their behavior. However, each child requires a different level of support to develop this skill.

It is important to try various strategies, but it is most logical to assist the development of an autistic individual, regardless of their level of internet engagement, if you are addressing their disorder. Nowadays, the greatest chance of success is through cell therapy — a method that can not only alleviate symptoms but also eliminate them.

At the Mardaleishvili Medical Center, as in other leading clinics worldwide, stem cell transplants are performed. These cells have the unique ability to transform into healthy equivalents of malfunctioning cells and replace them. As a result, shortly after the procedure, the functioning of the brain and nervous system is normalized, often permanently, which increases the effectiveness of any additional corrective measures.

This therapy is reliable, safe, and provides the best results compared to traditional methods. It has been highly regarded in medical and scientific communities, and the Mardaleishvili Medical Center has extensive experience in its practical application. The center’s specialists are highly qualified, equipped with the most advanced technology, and the cost of services is lower than in clinics in other countries. An additional benefit is the assistance provided starting from the planning stage of the trip.

Cell therapy is the optimal way to address the challenges faced by autistic individuals!