Computer addict

Johnsmum said:

My son spends several hours every day on his computer, mostly playing games or music, though I have a suspicion he may have viewed porn as well. As he is a teenager, it's probably too late to start imposing a time limit on computer time (besides which, if he weren't on the computer, he would only be watching TV).

Do others think that too much computer time is not good for our kids? I would love him to be making friends but he never invites anyone home from school, and they don't invite him. If they did, of course, they would end up playing computer games together! But at least it would be social.

We have very good provision in our area for social activities for kids on the spectrum, but I get a feeling he doesn't want to go to something that is especially for kids like him.

Would love to hear others' thoughts on computers, socializing, etc, especially for older teenagers.

Hi,

My name is Laura and I am BA Graduate who is currently in the process of being assessed for Aspergers Syndrome. (I didn't realised that I had symptoms, which took up to A4 sheets of paper, until I started studying Autism and Media Representation.)

What I have noticed in a lot of these comments is Blaming of technology, which was given to a nine-year-old. 

I have been playing video games since I was two years old (my grandmother was a gamer and my mother would let me play.) I literally spent my years as a teenager playing games, spending time on my computer and doing graphic design.  Understand the world from your childs perspective. Some of you said you would rather have them be outside making friends. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for us to make friends and keep those friendships? Not to mention how noisy and painful outdoor noise and lights can be at times? While also having to deal with the added pressure of social cues and other humans generally being around?  

I am sure you are aware that it isn't easy. It is stressful and exhausting. When I was younger and even now, sometimes people give me funny looks or fail to understand what I am trying to say to them. Which is frustrating. I also always find myself sitting in my room, on my own in darkness because even the smallest amount of communication with another human tires me out. Sometimes my mum has found me in my bed asleep or watching a film. 

When playing video games or spending time on the computer. I can actually make friends without having to talk, I'm the same with animals too. Sometimes my friends and I will be in discord and I will have only said two sentences, other times I talk more. However, a lot of the time I like to be on my own as I personally find dealing with classmates during the day exhausting. 

When I was a teen, I was bullied for being different, so I stayed in a lot as I didn't like the local kids (which mostly consisted of thugs and drug addicts.) Where as I wanted to stay indoors, in complete darkness, play video games, listen to music and create cool designs. My mum was also relieved as she would know where I was and knew I was safe and out of troubles way.

It literally did me no harm, I'm now in my final semester in University studying Television Production, I can create animations, do graphic design and I am using my Sound sensitivity (in a positive light)  to become a Sound Engineer. I have also just landed my third job as a Staff Writer for a Video Games Magazine and I am a presenter (yes, presenter) on a Gaming Podcast (which has had well-established guests on it.)

While you might see your son sitting on his computer, playing games and wasting time. To him he is probably: Blocking out unwanted audio signals, Completing various puzzles and tasks and is finally able to escape such a hectic world and is able to relax.

I do apologise for the long message. I just find it annoying when parents complain about their child's gaming habits. As long as he is completing his homework, Showering, eating and drinking then I really don't see a problem. 

Johnsmum said:

My son spends several hours every day on his computer, mostly playing games or music, though I have a suspicion he may have viewed porn as well. As he is a teenager, it's probably too late to start imposing a time limit on computer time (besides which, if he weren't on the computer, he would only be watching TV).

Do others think that too much computer time is not good for our kids? I would love him to be making friends but he never invites anyone home from school, and they don't invite him. If they did, of course, they would end up playing computer games together! But at least it would be social.

We have very good provision in our area for social activities for kids on the spectrum, but I get a feeling he doesn't want to go to something that is especially for kids like him.

Would love to hear others' thoughts on computers, socializing, etc, especially for older teenagers.

Hi,

My name is Laura and I am BA Graduate who is currently in the process of being assessed for Aspergers Syndrome. (I didn't realised that I had symptoms, which took up to A4 sheets of paper, until I started studying Autism and Media Representation.)

What I have noticed in a lot of these comments is Blaming of technology, which was given to a nine-year-old. 

I have been playing video games since I was two years old (my grandmother was a gamer and my mother would let me play.) I literally spent my years as a teenager playing games, spending time on my computer and doing graphic design.  Understand the world from your childs perspective. Some of you said you would rather have them be outside making friends. Do you have any idea how difficult it is for us to make friends and keep those friendships? Not to mention how noisy and painful outdoor noise and lights can be at times? While also having to deal with the added pressure of social cues and other humans generally being around?  

I am sure you are aware that it isn't easy. It is stressful and exhausting. When I was younger and even now, sometimes people give me funny looks or fail to understand what I am trying to say to them. Which is frustrating. I also always find myself sitting in my room, on my own in darkness because even the smallest amount of communication with another human tires me out. Sometimes my mum has found me in my bed asleep or watching a film. 

When playing video games or spending time on the computer. I can actually make friends without having to talk, I'm the same with animals too. Sometimes my friends and I will be in discord and I will have only said two sentences, other times I talk more. However, a lot of the time I like to be on my own as I personally find dealing with classmates during the day exhausting. 

When I was a teen, I was bullied for being different, so I stayed in a lot as I didn't like the local kids (which mostly consisted of thugs and drug addicts.) Where as I wanted to stay indoors, in complete darkness, play video games, listen to music and create cool designs. My mum was also relieved as she would know where I was and knew I was safe and out of troubles way.

It literally did me no harm, I'm now in my final semester in University studying Television Production, I can create animations, do graphic design and I am using my Sound sensitivity (in a positive light)  to become a Sound Engineer. I have also just landed my third job as a Staff Writer for a Video Games Magazine and I am a presenter (yes, presenter) on a Gaming Podcast (which has had well-established guests on it.)

While you might see your son sitting on his computer, playing games and wasting time. To him he is probably: Blocking out unwanted audio signals, Completing various puzzles and tasks and is finally able to escape such a hectic world and is able to relax.

I do apologise for the long message. I just find it annoying when parents complain about their child's gaming habits. As long as he is completing his homework, Showering, eating and drinking then I really don't see a problem.