In relation to display screen time, most consultants agree: much less is extra. Time in nature, connecting with folks we care about, and different screen-free actions are definitely useful for our well being. However for neurodivergent brains, a extra nuanced method to web self-care is required to create space for the complexities that include dwelling in a world constructed for neurotypical brains. Typically, extra display screen time may very well be a self-care apply for neurodivergent folks.
“Cyberloafing”
In his guide “Laziness Does Not Exist,” Dr. Devon Worth explores the idea of “cyberloafing”, a time period that describes taking part in in your telephone when you’re purported to be at work or doing one thing productive. Whereas employers might look down on this apply, it could really be useful, particularly for neurodivergent brains.
Dr. Worth, who’s neurodivergent himself and is an advocate for neurodivergent well-being, says “cyberloafing” performs an vital function in task-shifting. Many individuals might flip to their telephone after they’ve accomplished a troublesome or boring job.
For folx with ADHD, this novelty-seeking may give their brains the quantity of dopamine they should transfer ahead. That is very true as a result of folks with ADHD usually should expend vital cognitive effort to finish duties that their interest-based nervous system doesn’t discover rewarding.
Self-Regulation
For the neurodivergent mind, the world will be a particularly overstimulating place. From honking automobiles to busy school rooms, neurodivergent youth and adults are bombarded with difficult sensory experiences at each angle.
Primarily based on their lived experiences as autistic adults and oldsters, influencers Orion Kelly and Taylor Heaton mentioned the profit that display screen time has on their lives and their youngsters’s lives. Each Heaton and Kelly agree that they don’t strictly restrict display screen time for his or her neurodivergent youngsters as a result of it’s such a useful device for emotional self-regulation. (They do, nonetheless, restrict what their youngsters are watching to make sure the content material is suitable). In addition they agree that as neurodivergent dad and mom, display screen time for his or her youngsters provides them the time they want as dad and mom to control themselves. This helps them to be calmer, extra current dad and mom.
Display screen time can also be helpful for self-regulation throughout autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is when an autistic particular person experiences excessive exhaustion, lack of functioning, and lowered tolerance to stimuli. This normally occurs when an autistic particular person is pushed previous their limits emotionally, cognitively, socially, and so on. When this occurs, display screen time will be the solely factor somebody has the power for. Partaking in particular pursuits through Youtube or different on-line platforms will be particularly useful for restoration. The web might also permit for various modes of communication, which will be useful if somebody is non-verbal throughout burnout.
How A lot is Too A lot?
So, display screen time can help neurodivergent brains. However how a lot is an excessive amount of? Listed here are some questions you possibly can ask your self to assist information you to decide what boundaries it’s possible you’ll wish to put in place in case you really feel you want them:
- Are the display screen cut-off dates I’m putting on myself based mostly on society’s expectations, or based mostly alone wants?
- Is my display screen time getting in the best way of issues I would like/want to perform?
- How does display screen time make me really feel, emotionally and bodily?
- What want is display screen time fulfilling in my life? (Examples: Does it permit me to attach with others in a extra accessible approach? Does it assist me self-regulate after a disturbing day?)
- If I’m utilizing screens extra usually than typical, what info does this give me about how I’m feeling? (Instance: If I usually flip to screens to destress, and I’m utilizing screens extra usually, possibly I’m below extra stress than typical.)
Neurodivergent self-care usually appears totally different from neurotypical self-care, and it’s no totally different on the subject of web utilization. Permit your self to make use of screens to help you in case you want it with out disgrace. Take time to consider if you wish to create boundaries round display screen time, guaranteeing these boundaries are based mostly in your wants and never society’s expectations.