ASD Digital Parenting Guidelines

ASD Digital Parenting Guidelines

Raising children in the age of screens and smartphones can be overwhelming for all kinds of parents, and even more so for families whose children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). 

FOSI’s 7 Steps to Good Digital Parenting provide a universal starting point for navigating tech use in your home. These five guidelines build on those steps with additional support for parents raising kids with ASD. 

What the Guidelines Cover:

1. Customize Your Approach
   Just as ASD spans a wide range of conditions, there’s no one size fits all when it comes to parenting on the spectrum.
    
2. Use Screens in Smaller Doses
   Screentime is a stimulant to all children, but the ASD brain is more sensitive to stimulants.
    
3. Put the 'Education' into Educational Apps
   Screen time can be beneficial and understanding which apps, games and websites are best for your child are crucial for enhanced learning.
    
4. Meet Them Where They Are
   With children on the spectrum, it’s extra important to understand not just what they’re fi xated on, but why they fi nd it especially compelling.
    
5. Support Family Contracts with Tech Solutions
   Naturally “unplugging” can be harder for children with ASD, so use technology to help make transitions smoother. 

To learn more, download our FREE parent guidelines below.