Beyond Screen Time: A Neurodiversity-Affirmative Research Agenda for Screen Use in Autism

Metadata sources used for this reference

OpenAlex Crossref
Learn more about the sources used

van Asselt, A. (2026). Beyond Screen Time: A Neurodiversity-Affirmative Research Agenda for Screen Use in Autism. Autism in Adulthood. https://doi.org/10.1177/25739581261452097

Publication date: 25 May 2026 Added to AutiHub: 6 Aug 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
OpenAlex source Publisher source (DOI)

This publication is integrated into AutiHub through:

Authors

Publication authors
1
Publication authors identified as autistic
1 / 1 (100.0%)
  1. Alvin van Asselt *

Abstract

Discourse on screen use in autism is largely dominated by risk-oriented, deficit-based, and alarmist narratives, often structured around the time-based construct of “screen time.” In this perspective essay, I argue for a more nuanced, context-sensitive, and neurodiversity-affirmative research agenda. Using an autoethnography-informed approach, I draw on my lived experiences as an autistic person alongside emerging empirical evidence to contend that screen use can also support autistic individuals in ways that closely align with their needs and preferences. I illustrate how screen use has enabled me to fulfill my core needs—particularly predictability, safety, autonomy, and meaningful belonging—which in turn facilitated my stress and sensory regulation, social development, executive functioning, and overall mental health across the lifespan. To move beyond limited framings of screen use in autism, I outline six key principles for a neurodiversity-affirmative research agenda: (1) adopt terminology that captures how and why digital media is used (e.g., “screen use” or “digital media engagement”); (2) examine the reasons, functions, and contexts of this use; (3) assess both potential benefits and risks in relation to the contextual factors that shape them; (4) evaluate outcomes that center autistic people’s autonomy, agency, and well-being; (5) acknowledge and respect neurodivergent developmental pathways and preferences; and (6) employ participatory and mixed-method approaches. Together, these principles can inform research, recommendations, and policies that enable more context-sensitive decisions and support autistic individuals to use screens in ways that enhance their development, mental health, and well-being on their own terms.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Bibliography inclusion overview

These indicators describe the cited bibliography imported for this publication. Cited-reference metrics use the cited-reference total as denominator. Cited-author metrics state whether they use all cited-author occurrences or only occurrences linked to authors already integrated in the AutiHub database. They use cached links between cited authors and authors integrated in the AutiHub database. Last computed: 16 Aug 2026 11:31.

Cited references
59
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
5 / 59 (8.5%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
5 / 187 (2.7%)
Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 5 / 33 (15.2%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 5 / 182 (2.7%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
33 / 187 (17.6%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 29 / 182 (15.9%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
28 / 33 (84.8%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 28 / 187 (15.0%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 24 / 29 (82.8%).
  1. Kaitlyn P. Wilson (2013). Incorporating Video Modeling Into a School-Based Intervention for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders . Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 44(1), 105-117. American Speech Language Hearing Association.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1044/0161-1461(2012/11-0098) OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W1998416458
    Crossref OpenAlex
  2. Sally E. Barber , Brian Kelly , Paul J. Collings , Liana Nagy , Tracey Bywater , John Wright (2017). Prevalence, trajectories, and determinants of television viewing time in an ethnically diverse sample of young children from the UK . International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1), 88-88. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/s12966-017-0541-8 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2729521178
    Crossref OpenAlex
  3. Micah Mazurek , Colleen Wenstrup (2013). Television, Video Game and Social Media Use Among Children with ASD and Typically Developing Siblings . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(6), 1258-1271. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1659-9 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2059266779
    Crossref OpenAlex
  4. Robin Neuhaus , Erin O’Connor (2025). The interplay between sensationalism and scientific information framing: Examining the representation of screen time research online and on social media in the United States . Journal of Children and Media, 19(3), 619-633. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/17482798.2025.2455566 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4407080188
    Crossref OpenAlex
  5. Aviva Must , Sarah M Phillips , Carol Curtin , Sarah E Anderson , Melissa Maslin , Keith Lividini et al. (2014). Comparison of sedentary behaviors between children with autism spectrum disorders and typically developing children . Autism, 18(4), 376-384. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361313479039 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2118802064
    Crossref OpenAlex
  6. Danielle L. Harvey , Karen Milton , Andy P. Jones , Andrew J. Atkin (2022). International trends in screen-based behaviours from 2012 to 2019 . Preventive Medicine, 154, 106909. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2021.106909 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4200303798
    Crossref OpenAlex
  7. Kathryn E. Ringland , Christine T. Wolf , Louanne Boyd , Mark S. Baldwin , Gillian R. Hayes (2016). Would You Be Mine . Proceedings of the 18th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, 33-41. ACM.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1145/2982142.2982172 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2535978804
    Crossref OpenAlex
  8. Khumukcham A. Devi , Sudhakar K. Singh (2023). The hazards of excessive screen time: Impacts on physical health, mental health, and overall well-being . Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 12(1), 413-413. Medknow.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_447_23 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4389193805
    Crossref OpenAlex
  9. Couldry N (2016). The Mediated Construction of Reality . The Mediated Construction of Reality.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  10. Susan H Hedges , Samuel L Odom , Kara Hume , Ann Sam (2018). Technology use as a support tool by secondary students with autism . Autism, 22(1), 70-79. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1362361317717976 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2759156407
    Crossref OpenAlex
  11. McLeod Frampton Gwynette , Shawn S. Sidhu , Tolga Atilla Ceranoglu (2018). Electronic Screen Media Use in Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder . Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 27(2), 203-219. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.chc.2017.11.013 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2791193995
    Crossref OpenAlex
  12. O. Belakbir , S. Atrassi , K. Bouyfalioune , S. Ahayoun , H. Kisra (2025). Screen Time Exposure in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Findings from a Sample of 190 Participants . Scholars Journal of Medical Case Reports, 13(08), 1784-1787. SASPR Edu International Pvt. Ltd.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.36347/sjmcr.2025.v13i08.006 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4413036659
    Crossref OpenAlex
  13. Erinn H. Finke , Benjamin D. Hickerson , Jennifer M. D. Kremkow (2018). “To Be Quite Honest, If It Wasn't for Videogames I Wouldn't Have a Social Life at All”: Motivations of Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder for Playing Videogames as Leisure . American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 27(2), 672-689. American Speech Language Hearing Association.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1044/2017_ajslp-17-0073 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2795446395
    Crossref OpenAlex
  14. Rebecca Lane , Jenny Radesky (2019). Digital Media and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Review of Evidence, Theoretical Concerns, and Opportunities for Intervention . Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 40(5), 364-368. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000664 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2937227953
    Crossref OpenAlex
  15. Kathleen B. Aspiranti , Karen H. Larwin , Benjamin P. Schade (2020). iPads/tablets and students with autism: A meta-analysis of academic effects . Assistive Technology, 32(1), 23-30. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/10400435.2018.1463575 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2797114503
    Crossref OpenAlex
  16. Carol Westby (2018). Why Children With Autism Are More at Risk for the Negative Effects of Screen Time . Word of Mouth, 29(5), 9-13. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/1048395018772844b OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2802917684
    Crossref OpenAlex
  17. Ortal Slobodin , Karen Frankel Heffler , Michael Davidovitch (2019). Screen Media and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review . Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 40(4), 303-311. Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000654 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2930681536
    Crossref OpenAlex
  19. Carol Westby (2022). Playing to Pretend or “Pretending” to Play: Play in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder . Seminars in Speech and Language, 43(04), 331-346. Georg Thieme Verlag KG.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1750348 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4288060519
    Crossref OpenAlex
  20. (2014). The Trouble with Screen Time . In Digital Youth with Disabilities (pp. 17-38). The MIT Press.
    Type: Book chapter DOI: 10.7551/mitpress/10259.003.0004 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4236325539
    Crossref OpenAlex
  21. Katta Spiel , Christopher Frauenberger , Os Keyes , Geraldine Fitzpatrick (2019). Agency of Autistic Children in Technology Research—A Critical Literature Review . ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction, 26(6), 1-40. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1145/3344919 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W2988620880
    Crossref OpenAlex
  22. Meryl Alper (2017). Giving Voice . The MIT Press.
    Type: Book DOI: 10.7551/mitpress/10771.001.0001 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4254014975
    Crossref OpenAlex
  23. Linda K. Kaye , Amy Orben , David A. Ellis , Simon C. Hunter , Stephen Houghton (2020). The Conceptual and Methodological Mayhem of “Screen Time” . International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(10), 3661. MDPI AG.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103661 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3026494741
    Crossref OpenAlex
  24. Saba Sarfraz , Gandhala Shlaghya , Sri Harsha Narayana , Ujala Mushtaq , Basim Shaman Ameen , Chuhao Nie et al. (2023). Early Screen-Time Exposure and Its Association With Risk of Developing Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review . Cureus, 15(7), e42292-e42292. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42292 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4385073493
    Crossref OpenAlex
  25. Lorenzo Desideri , Anna Di Santantonio , Niccolò Varrucciu , Ingrid Bonsi , Rita Di Sarro (2020). Assistive Technology for Cognition to Support Executive Functions in Autism: a Scoping Review . Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 4(4), 330-343. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s41252-020-00163-w OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3034241366
    Crossref OpenAlex
  26. Yaakov Ophir , Hananel Rosenberg , Refael Tikochinski , Shani Dalyot , Yuliya Lipshits-Braziler (2023). Screen Time and Autism Spectrum Disorder . JAMA Network Open, 6(12), e2346775. American Medical Association (AMA).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.46775 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4389489985
    Crossref OpenAlex
  27. Elizabeth McGhee Hassrick , Laura Graham Holmes , Collette Sosnowy , Jessica Walton , Kathleen Carley (2021). Benefits and Risks: A Systematic Review of Information and Communication Technology Use by Autistic People . Autism in Adulthood, 3(1), 72-84. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1089/aut.2020.0048 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W3132236435
    Crossref OpenAlex
  28. Ashraf A (2025). The growing prevalence of virtual autism: A cause for concern . J Health Rehabil Res, 5(1), 1.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  29. Ram K. Garg , Prabha Garg , Poonam Sharma , Yogesh Kumar , Ram Niwas , Jitendra Singh et al. (2024). Virtual autism among children: A leading hazard of gadget exposure and preventive measures . Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 13(1), 76-76. Medknow.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1482_23 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4392162006
    Crossref OpenAlex
  30. Lauren Gillies-Walker , Naeem Ramzan , Jean Rankin , Emy Nimbley , Karri Gillespie‐Smith (2023). “You Feel Like You Kind of Walk Between the Two Worlds”: A Participatory Study Exploring How Technology Can Support Emotion Regulation for Autistic People . Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 53(1), 216-228. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05392-z OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4206838359
    Crossref OpenAlex
  32. Karen Frankel Heffler , Lori R. Frome , Brigid Garvin , Lindsay M. Bungert , David S. Bennett (2022). Screen time reduction and focus on social engagement in autism spectrum disorder: A pilot study . Pediatrics International, 64(1), e15343-e15343. Wiley.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1111/ped.15343 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4293425935
    Crossref OpenAlex
  33. Mohapatra S (2024). The impact of screen time on social communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder: A comprehensive review . jkesehatan, 3(2), 93.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  35. (n.d.). 22. Center of the American Experiment. What countries restrict cell phone use? American Experiment; 2025. https://www.americanexperiment.org/what-countries-restrict-cell-phone-use/ [Last accessed: April19 2026].
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  36. Sorayya Rezayi , Mehdi Tehrani-Doost , Leila Shahmoradi (2023). Features and effects of computer-based games on cognitive impairments in children with autism spectrum disorder: an evidence-based systematic literature review . BMC Psychiatry, 23(1), 2-2. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04501-1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4313522992
    Crossref OpenAlex
  38. Aoife M. Cuddihy , David McCormack , Jenny Cross , Saskia N. Craig , Tim Fosker (2025). A Systematic Review of the Association Between Screen-Based Media Device Use and Sleep Outcomes in Autistic Children and Adolescents . Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1007/s40489-025-00513-1 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4411223839
    Crossref OpenAlex
  39. Michelle Menezes , Jim Soland , Micah Mazurek (2023). Screen time and diagnoses of anxiety and depression in autistic versus neurotypical youth . Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 107, 102222. Elsevier BV.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1016/j.rasd.2023.102222 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4385522902
    Crossref OpenAlex
  40. Adams TE (2015). Autoethnography . Autoethnography.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  41. Yael Mayer , Mor Cohen-Eilig , Janice Chan , Natasha Kuzyk , Armansa Glodjo , Tal Jarus (2024). Digital citizenship of children and youth with autism: Developing guidelines and strategies for caregivers and clinicians to support healthy use of screens . Autism, 28(4), 1010-1028. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613231192870 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4386116219
    Crossref OpenAlex
  42. Ellis C (2011). Autoethnography: An overview . Hist Soc Res, 36(4), 273.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  43. Martine van Driel * , John Vines , Belén Barros Pena , Nelya Koteyko (2023). Understanding Autistic Adults' Use of Social Media . Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 7(CSCW2), 1-23. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1145/3610048 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4387328664
    AutiHub · Autistic Scholars Crossref OpenAlex
  44. Lindy Le (2024). "I Am Human, Just Like You": What Intersectional, Neurodivergent Lived Experiences Bring to Accessibility Research . The 26th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, 1-20. ACM.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1145/3663548.3675651 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4403582789
    Crossref OpenAlex
  45. John Joseph McGowan , Iain Peter Mcgregor (2023). Investigation into Stress Triggers in Autistic Adults for the Development of Technological Self-Interventions . The 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, 1-17. ACM.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1145/3597638.3608392 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4387793694
    Crossref OpenAlex
  46. Kay Kender , Katta Spiel (2023). Banal Autistic Social Media: A Found Footage Autoethnography . The 25th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility, 1-7. ACM.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1145/3597638.3614552 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4387793709
    Crossref OpenAlex
  47. Gowen E (2019). Guidelines for conducting research studies with the autism community . Autism Policy Pract, 2(1), 29.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  48. Palwasha Najeeb , Lisa Quadt (2024). Autistic well-being: A scoping review of scientific studies from a neurodiversity-affirmative perspective . Neurodiversity, 2. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/27546330241233088 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4392060670
    Crossref OpenAlex
  49. Anna Xygkou , Panote Siriaraya , Wan-Jou She , Alexandra Covaci , Chee Siang Ang (2024). “Can I be More Social with a Chatbot?”: Social Connectedness Through Interactions of Autistic Adults with a Conversational Virtual Human . International Journal of Human–Computer Interaction, 40(24), 8937-8954. Informa UK Limited.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1080/10447318.2023.2292880 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4390588074
    Crossref OpenAlex
  50. Ruiz-Danegger C (2023). The reflective turn for a neuroaffirmative pedagogy and educational research in autism and neurodiversity: Overcoming deficit approaches and “Best Practice Protocols . EDNA, 1(1), 1.
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  51. Dasom Choi , Sunok Lee , Sung-In Kim , Kyungah Lee , Hee Jeong Yoo , Sangsu Lee et al. (2024). Unlock Life with a Chat(GPT): Integrating Conversational AI with Large Language Models into Everyday Lives of Autistic Individuals . Proceedings of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1-17. ACM.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1145/3613904.3641989 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4396827139
    Crossref OpenAlex
  52. Dejan Filipovski , Maria Davchevska (2024). Parental perceptions of media use by children with autism . KAIROS: Media and Communications Review, 3(2), 34-45. Institute of Communication Studies.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.64370/ghsn3029 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4413005203
    Crossref OpenAlex
  53. Sohyeon Park , Aehong Min , Jesus Armando Beltran , Gillian R Hayes (2025). "As an Autistic Person Myself:" The Bias Paradox Around Autism in LLMs . Proceedings of the 2025 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, 1-17. ACM.
    Type: Other DOI: 10.1145/3706598.3713420 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4409736294
    Crossref OpenAlex
  54. Martina Basciano , Elisa Bisagno , Alessia Cadamuro (2025). Multiple Ways in Which Video Games Make Education Inclusive: A Systematic Review of Cognitive Enhancement for Neurodivergent Learners . Multimodal Technologies and Interaction, 9(6), 56. MDPI AG.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.3390/mti9060056 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4411155229
    Crossref OpenAlex
  55. Kirsten L Spaargaren , Yvette Roke , Sander Begeer , Annemieke van Straten , Heleen Riper , Kirstin Greaves-Lord et al. (2025). A randomized controlled trial into the effectiveness of a mobile health application (SAM) to reduce stress and improve well-being in autistic adults . Autism, 29(10), 2588-2603. SAGE Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.1177/13623613251346885 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4411683310
    Crossref OpenAlex
  56. Daniel A. Davis , Rean Joy S. Cicat , Angel R. Galapon , Jhun Mark G. Obreros , Joan C. Mag-isa (2025). A Comparative Analysis of Electronic Educational Games and Conventional Classroom Training on the Development of Cognitive Skills among Elementary Students . Cognizance Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 5(10), 380-388. Zain Publications.
    Type: Article DOI: 10.47760/cognizance.2025.v05i10.034 OpenAlex: https://openalex.org/W4415684108
    Crossref OpenAlex
  57. Carik B (2025). Reimagining support: Exploring autistic individuals’ visions for AI in coping with negative self-talk . ArXiv.
    Type: Preprint
    Crossref
  58. (n.d.). 53. Sparrow M. Autistic screen time: Swipe left on stigma. Bill of Health (Blog) Petrie-Flom Center at Harvard Law School; 2023. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2023/09/26/autistic-screen-time-swipe-left-on-stigma/ [Last accessed: November16 2025].
    Type: Other
    Crossref
  59. (n.d.). 57. American Psychological Association. Health advisory on social media use in adolescence. 2023. https://www.apa.org/topics/social-media-internet/health-advisory-adolescent-social-media-use [Last accessed: April19 2026].
    Type: Other
    Crossref