Computer and tablet addiction?

You say she is doing nothing but playing online games. Is that what she is doing all of the time she is online? I am asking this because of the dangers of social media, which can enable online bullying and manipulation of youngsters and cause depression/anxiety and negative behaviours. Have you talked to her about social media, gaming with other people she hasn't met, and how to stay safe online? Have you set your internet settings appropriately? (I don't know about this myself, as I don't have young kids, but you can get advice if you're not sure)

Gaming is not a problem in itself, as others have said. But she will need to spend some time each week interacting "off line", to learn the people skills she will need in order to make friends at college, get a job, etc, so it might be helpful to sit her down and explain this. If it is put in a way that shows you want to help her develop and improve her life, rather than it looking like you are punishing her, she might be more favourably responsive.

Finally, as has been suggested, maybe you could do some gaming as a family to get her out of her room and interacting with you and her brother? Perhaps get a gaming console you keep in the living room, with a few games you can all play together?

That’s interesting Pixiefox, that you think, or suggest, that all people will at some point, have to follow the nuerotypical pattern for life, such as making friends, going to college and getting a job.

I can understand that coming from a neurotypical person but find it odd coming from somebody who is autistic ~ unless, of course, you also naturally follow this type of life plan, which would, of course, make it not strange at all?

It’s just not a life plan that I’ve ever followed and I just presumed it was just what the majority of people did, and that I clearly, was simply not in the majority, but then when I got my diagnosis, I thought it was a nt thing, but maybe it’s not, maybe it’s a lifestyle choice that appeals to lots of people, nt and nd alike and that’s it’s not so much about being nt, but more about a lifestyle choice that is simply most appealing to the masses, nt or not ~ which would explain everything . Thank you. I learn so much from what people share on here  

That’s interesting Pixiefox, that you think, or suggest, that all people will at some point, have to follow the nuerotypical pattern for life, such as making friends, going to college and getting a job.

I can understand that coming from a neurotypical person but find it odd coming from somebody who is autistic ~ unless, of course, you also naturally follow this type of life plan, which would, of course, make it not strange at all?

It’s just not a life plan that I’ve ever followed and I just presumed it was just what the majority of people did, and that I clearly, was simply not in the majority, but then when I got my diagnosis, I thought it was a nt thing, but maybe it’s not, maybe it’s a lifestyle choice that appeals to lots of people, nt and nd alike and that’s it’s not so much about being nt, but more about a lifestyle choice that is simply most appealing to the masses, nt or not ~ which would explain everything . Thank you. I learn so much from what people share on here  

Yes, as regards the next generation, it'd be about keeping options open for them for whichever path they might choose.    

I totally understand developing skills and awareness, trying things out etc, in order to increase a persons capacity to choose different options in life, to see what suits them, but I have never bought into the traditional life path. I never saw it as a nt life path, until I got my diagnosis, but I did soon realise that it wasn't only nt people who prescribe to it, but I would definitely help a person to expand and broaden their world so they have got choice but my ideas don't always, if ever, fit into the traditional life path. 

My take on this is that it would be more about developing skills in order to increase or maintain options, rather than prescribing a particular path through life. 

It's certainly an interesting topic in itself, though - I think there's certainly a conventional pattern for life, but I'm not sure it's an NT preference so much as being governed by the dictates of our education system and economy (although we might consider the origins of these).  

I would find this a good thread on its own tbh.  The point at which we transition into the "real world" (college, jobs, relationships) proves problematic in my family.  

Yeah, I've never had that life plan in my mind; getting into a relationship, getting a job, getting a house, going on holidays, getting a car, going to college, getting married, none of those things have ever been part of what I desire in life. That's probably why I can live on the streets, homeless, and be no less happy than when I am living in a house, because those sorts of outside things don't interest me or they're not what's most important to me.

I've never watched television as a hobby or got into group things like supporting a sports team or having a favorite pop singer or whatever - I loved Trevor McDonald when I was a kid!

If I want to know what a place is like, I'll go and live there. I don't get the same pleasure as lots of people do  through watching travel programs on travel, etc, I would rather just go an live there and find out for myself what it's like and I have eventually come round to the idea of having a job, but it's based on what I do anyway, on what I love doing and it will simply enable me to move around the world much easier, not that I couldn't before, but it will make it easier with a regular income that I can sustain long term. 

So no, definitely not all nd people want friends and a job. Friend's, I've never really understood, not in the way I see nt having friendships anyway and I have tons of friends that are on my type of friendship terms, meaning they know I don't keep in touch consistently but they hear from me, now and again or I'll visit them on my travels, which will be even easier to do when I get my tiny house on wheels.

I've never understood working and what the big fascination with it is, although I have had jobs, but only when I've wanted one and only if I've enjoyed it, I will soon leave if it doesn't serve me in any way. I've never really been interested in the money side of things, I've always got what I wanted without having to think about money. I've never really wanted a one to one romantic relationship, I never understood those, although I do now and I can see they're a great thing for a lot of people, but not me, they're not really my thing.  I suppose I do enjoy friendships, but to me, every person on the planet is a friend, I don't know how to separate people out into categories, so I have lots of friends and make new ones almost every time I leave my house, lol, and some of those have turned into long term friendships but friendships aren't something I crave or desire, and anybody who knows me, knows, I could happily live on a desert island, all by myself and I would still be as happy. 

But I've never thought the friendship, college, job, house etc etc model was the only model. I would be upset if I thought it was because I would be worried and sad for all the people who can't get those things even if they wanted them and I couldn't live with that level of distress, but I've always known it's not the only model and I when I got my diagnosis I thought it must be because I'm autistic that I don't live to that model but it seems that lots of nd people live according to it also.

That's why I love this site, I learn so much.

Your view is interesting too, Blue Ray. I thought that most ND people wanted to have friends and a job. I do have a partner,,but lot of other people post on this site saying they don't have any friends and are lonely, so I thought it was common. I also like having a part time job and I understand that many other Aspies not currently working have a desire to work. I am a very independent soul, but like also having a 'soul mate'. And I have enjoyed traveling when I was younger, which was a great experience but one has to step outside of one's comfort zone and leave their home/bedroom sometimes to have these experiences.