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Obsession with Gaming and Computers - 9 year old

KathS

Hello all

We have a 9 year old boy, funny and bright, however hes becoming more and more reluctant to do anything other than go on his computer / intenet / play station etc. We have tried to limit its use, however, he simply isnt interested in anything else for longer than say half hour and he's an only child so has no siblings to play with.

My worry is that is he will become withdrawn from normaility and his ability to communicate and interact with others will lessen.

He's up at 7am and on a weekend would quite happily sit in front of a screen till bed at 7pm.

I know that this also is not good for his eyes and as he wears headphones, is bad for his ears. My partner (who is his bilogical dad, I am not his birth mum), is frustrated too, and says 'what am I meant to do with him?' when I state that we have to get him off the computer. I dont know what the answer is as he doesnt want to join school clubs (eg football or rugby or cubs), he just wants to play on his computer.

Obviously there is a lot of fuss and tantrums when he do make him come away.

This is just one 'challenge' , he's not doing so well at his mainstream school, his learning falling behind and his teachers telling us they dont know what to do with him, although he has SEN funding. But thats another problem for another post.

Any ideas please?

Thanks

Kathryn

Parents

  • I would disagree with the completely hands-off approach - I think all children (autistic or not) need exercise and some level of social interaction, and to learn practical skills. He obviously doesn't like team activities with peers (and who can blame him!!), but perhaps there are activities that the whole family could do which might inspire new hobbies and interests?  

    You don't say what games he is into but maybe the subject matter might provide a way in, eg if he is into fighting games, maybe you could go with him to learn a martial art? He may love the idea of being a real Ninja! Or if he likes driving games, he may enjoy go-karting or rally driving. If he likes games involving quiet focus, maybe he would enjoy fishing, or learning bushcraft skills, metal detecting or map reading. 

    Also, does he like animals? Obviously a dog is a big commitment but could you 'borrow' one to see if this might coax him out of his room?

    This post caught my attention as I have a young relative who is also an only child and addicted to gaming. His parents took a completely hands off approach but offered few alternatives, and he is now a bored angry 20-something with few outside interests. 

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  • I would disagree with the completely hands-off approach - I think all children (autistic or not) need exercise and some level of social interaction, and to learn practical skills. He obviously doesn't like team activities with peers (and who can blame him!!), but perhaps there are activities that the whole family could do which might inspire new hobbies and interests?  

    You don't say what games he is into but maybe the subject matter might provide a way in, eg if he is into fighting games, maybe you could go with him to learn a martial art? He may love the idea of being a real Ninja! Or if he likes driving games, he may enjoy go-karting or rally driving. If he likes games involving quiet focus, maybe he would enjoy fishing, or learning bushcraft skills, metal detecting or map reading. 

    Also, does he like animals? Obviously a dog is a big commitment but could you 'borrow' one to see if this might coax him out of his room?

    This post caught my attention as I have a young relative who is also an only child and addicted to gaming. His parents took a completely hands off approach but offered few alternatives, and he is now a bored angry 20-something with few outside interests. 

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