Psychologist spoke about the risks of digital autism in children

Excessive use of gadgets at an early age can lead to the formation of symptoms in children that superficially resemble autism spectrum disorders, but in most cases such manifestations are reversible. Clinical psychologist Ksenia Savelyeva told Izvestia about this.

According to the expert, the so-called digital autism is not a disease or an official diagnosis.

"We are talking about an acquired syndrome that is formed under the influence of the environment. Unlike true autism, it does not have an innate nature and can be corrected," Savelieva explained.

The psychologist noted that parents most often face a child's social withdrawal, delayed speech, poor vocabulary, and emotional "de-energization."

"The rapid change in digital stimuli leads to sudden dopamine surges, which makes ordinary life seem boring to the child," she added.

The expert called the most vulnerable age the period up to seven years, when key neural connections are formed.

"When the correction begins before this age, the chances of a full recovery reach 80%. After 12 years, residual effects often persist," Savelieva emphasized.

The basis of prevention and correction is digital hygiene and the active replacement of screen time with live communication, movement and play.

"It's not enough to just pick up the gadget — the child needs a real emotional and social experience," the psychologist concluded.

The expert added that by the age of 18, when the problem is ignored for a long time, some adolescents develop deep social maladaptation, communication difficulties and an increased risk of depressive disorders.

Read more in the Izvestia article.

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