World Autism Day
Lucknow: Children under five who spend more than four hours daily on screens—TVs, tablets, and mobile phones—are at risk of developing virtual autism spectrum disorder (VASD), a condition that leads to persistent difficulties in social communication and behaviour, said experts on eve of World Autism Day. Excessive screen time was a growing health issue, they said, stressing that limiting screen exposure could prevent or even reverse VASD, though it may become permanent in some children.
Head of psychiatry department at King George’s Medical University, Prof Vivek Agrawal, noted children under five were spending 4-6 hours on screens daily, leading to increased VASD-related challenges in communication, social interaction and behaviour.
“We are seeing 5-6 cases in the OPD now, compared to 1-2 cases three-four years ago. Instead of engaging with them, parents often hand over gadgets to children,” he said.
Experts highlighted many children were introduced to screens as early as in their sixth month—a crucial period for brain development. This early exposure disrupts natural learning processes, such as observing others, exploring surroundings and engaging in free play.
Prof Agrawal said treatment for VASD follows the same approach as autism, as there was no specific medication for it. “Speech and occupational therapy are the primary interventions. However, stopping screen exposure does not always guarantee complete recovery. In some cases, the damage may be irreversible,” he warned.
Developmental psychologist Pragya Verma pointed out a global rise in VASD cases, particularly in the post-pandemic era, as many parents relied on gadgets to keep children occupied during lockdowns.
Associate director at Apollomedics Hospital, Lucknow, Dr Pranjali Saxena, emphasised parental awareness and communication, which play a crucial role. “Ignoring early signs and poor parent-child interaction often worsen the issue. Aggressive behaviour and tantrums can be managed if detected early,” she said.
Dr Saxena also highlighted that, beyond screen exposure, environmental factors such as pollution, toxic metals, pesticides during pregnancy, maternal stress, high blood pressure and diabetes can further increase the risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children.
