It's true that children on the autism spectrum need a great deal
of therapeutic interaction. In fact, many therapeutic experts
recommend hours a day of therapy -- often provided by parents.
TV and videos aren't interactive...so does that mean they're
forbidden to parents with autistic children? Actually, TV and
videos -- in limited amounts and carefully selected -- can
actually be a boon to parents and autistic children alike! 1.
Research Shows that Autistic Children Learn From
VideosResearchers have looked into the power of video modeling
for children with autism. They've discovered that videos, which
can be viewed over and over again, are actually powerful tools
for teaching skills, concepts, and even emotional responses.
Some video modeling has been shown to effectively teach life
skills like tooth brushing, shoe tying and more! 2. Carefully
Selected TV Shows Can Help Your Child Connect to His
PeersChildren with autism are idiosyncratic enough without being
denied the common cultural language of television