I don't have any long-term results to share just yet but we just started setting up screen time limits for our Little Man (7yo). Instead of just allocating a set amount of time he has to earn his time. This way we could set times by the behaviors that we were most looking for. For example, him getting outside to play has become a HUGE issue for us so that is the biggest chunk of time he can earn. We also added in minor chores, grooming activities, and eating meals (he had skipped several meals recently because of not wanting to leave whatever game he was playing).

So far it is working awesome!!! He has spent at least a couple of hours playing outside since yesterday and even spent an hour being (at least somewhat) social at our neighbor's for a barbeque today. It's very obvious that the motivation is because he wants to get back to the screen and not that he 'wants to' do what he's doing but that's okay. I'm only worried about the behavior right now, not the why behind it.

Could you combine the best of both worlds? This world is one where Wonderful "Geeks" abound - see if there is a club or meet-up nearby where he can play his games with others who are also interested in the games he plays. My son loves Skylanders (he is a young'n) and I see his love of video games continue as he gets older. In the meantime, we buy books on the subject, and as it is a 2-player game he plays with friends so he gets some social interaction.

He has an "X" Chart where he earns X's for good behavior which can include appropriate time on play dates, doing chores, bathroom completed well, etc. and he earns new game heroes or new toys this way. He gets what he wants, I get what I want out of him, we are all happy.

My son loves an indoor gym and kids of all ages go there. Perhaps the jumping or spinning or physical activity indoors would appeal to him - see about getting him into an "open gym" time to meet new folks and if he likes it, try a class.

It was suggested there is a a "schedule" on the wall of what will happen during the day so it is more predictable for my son. If you schedule outside activities which it sounds like you like, and schedule some time for his inside activities, but also schedule time for social interaction that you think will push his boundaries - then he will know what to expect and that he only gets 30 minutes or whatever time and when it will happen. He might stop to enjoy where you are instead of obsessing when he will be elsewhere, but that is kind of what our special kids do and the best you can do is keep trying and trying and trying as you have been.

Reading together if he likes to read; when my 13 yr old came to visit our night time routine was me reading one of his books to him, and he would stay up a little later reading other books but he would not read ahead on the one we were reading together.

I found a great website on how to play with Autistic children, and I didn't realize the reason that my son never did hand puppets was he didn't know how. I had to show him my show first, a short show; and he emulated the show for me afterwards. But I had to invite him to play, and I had to show him how. Maybe you need to show him how to play so he will want to play with you?

I think they talk about level appropriateness but have not truly vetted the entire site, might be worth the look for some tips:
https://sites.google.com/site/autismgames/home/...

Good luck and keep asking! You are doing great!

(Side note: My son truly didn't focus well until we had medicine for him so now he does much better trying new things. I don't know your take on medicine, but the Dr. said something that made sense to me - if I wanted to learn but I could not focus to learn, then I would only want to do the things I can focus on because it makes me feel good to do things I feel I am good at. Maybe a medicine change or try would work for him? diet? every kid is different. He is doing what he feels he is good at, so keep encouraging video games, but as you have already done - in moderation.)

I had previously commented about us getting a portable game for out son, I just wanted you to know that the ONLY games we get are games that teach something. Some of them work on the eye, hand coordination, others work on adding, some on spelling. There are a LOT of games out there for learning, not matter what the age. I figured if my son was going to be glued to a game system, the games might as well be educational. I do have to say they have really helped a lot because it is something he enjoys but yet is learning at the same time and he doesn't even know it. :)

If you are concerned about his physical activity, get a Kinnects to play his favorite Wii games(the one where you have to move your whole body to get things done). If he loves reading, create a playhouse or tent for him outside that is a readers' nook, with his favorite textures and lighting. Start with these small steps that are slight stretches of what he already loves. Don't force him to them, but make them appealing to his sensory loves so that eventually he will explore them. Be patient!

I also agree with the other posts that since total stress when removed from his high-interest preferences can be from severe anxiety, a little medication to reduce the stress can help him considerably to stretch beyond his comfort zone. That would be something to talk over with your pediatric psychiatrist or autism-specialist psychologist.

P.S. As a person on Spectrum, I will spend a few months every couple of years on Paxil (which is the one that works for me) when overwhelm makes me so in need of withdrawal from stimulation that it is affecting my ability to take care of myself. The medicine always helps, and then I phase off because it affects my concentration and creativity negatively. Then I get more productive, and stay that way until the overwhelm gets too much... But that is was works for me. Yours needs to have his own plan.

@A MyAutismTeam Member - :) for anybody, all things in moderation. It is just much more individualized to determine what is "moderation" for people outside the norm.

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