Chances are, when you were a child you didn’t spend hours every day glued to a screen. In previous generations, all we had was television, and our parents were reminded to limit our viewing time to a healthy amount. Today, iPhones, tablets, and laptops are ubiquitous. Used correctly, they can be a beneficial teaching aid, however, when misused (or overused) they are a detriment to your child’s development. In modern society, balancing screen time with physical activities has become imperative for overall well-being. Outdoor activities especially promote mental clarity, physical fitness, and a stronger connection to nature. Too much screen time can lead to a child losing their spark and picking up sedentary habits. 

Here are ten effective strategies to create a healthy balance between screens and outdoor time for children with autism in Burlington, Ontario.

1. Set Clear Limits On Screen Time

Children like to know their parameters. Simply turning off the WiFi at random moments will get them off their devices, but it will stir up animosity. It’s preferable to have set times in place for when screens are turned off to prevent overuse. Be sure to clearly communicate these black-out times with your child. There are a few ways to go about this. With most internet service providers, you can go into your account online and set limits based on each device’s IP. You can use timers or built-in screen time management tools on individual devices to keep track of which websites they are going to, and put limitations in place. Or you can simply set a timer on the stove. Having this usage automated will reduce the conflict when devices suddenly go off at a set time.

2. Schedule Outdoor Activities

Do your children love to be in nature? Do they enjoy time spent on hiking trails and local parks? If your kid is like most kids, it can be a bit of a battle to get them out the door, but once they’re in the setting, they love it and don’t want to leave. With this in mind, plan regular outdoor activities, such as a Sunday nature walk as a family, or some time spent fishing on a Saturday evening. At the end of the day, all that matters is that they are away from screens, doing something active.

3. Create Device-Free Zones

Does your home have a phone-free zone? It should. Picking up a screen can turn into a bad habit that we do every time we get even a little bit bored. It’s good for kids to be bored sometimes. It forces them to be creative and use their imaginations. That’s the time you’ll find them gravitating to the art supplies or picking up an instrument. Devices become obstructions to these pursuits. So pick an area of your home where this can happen organically. Designate certain areas of your home as device-free zones, such as a nursery, the living room, or the kids’ bedrooms during certain hours. This encourages more family interaction and creates opportunities for physical activity without the distraction of screens.

4. Lead By Example

Just like ducklings following their mother across a well-worn pathway to the next pond, children will model the behaviour of their parents when they are young. Teenagers are less conspicuous, and will often emulate their parents’ behaviour without the parent (or them) even being aware it is happening. So lead by example. Model healthy habits by reducing your own screen time and spending more time outdoors. If you find a way to enjoy the outdoors more, it will show, and in this way time in nature can be enjoyable and fulfilling without just going through the motions.

5. Combine Technology With Outdoor Exploration

There will be times when you can blend the two worlds.  It’s possible to bring their digital existence into harmony with their physical presence without compromising the experience. There are a few ways to leverage technology while doing something active. Some examples of this are Pokeman Go, apps for geocaching, birdwatching, or stargazing. These activities combine the benefits of using technology responsibly with the fun and engagement of being outdoors.

6. Encourage Outdoor Play

Sometimes the only thing that’s missing is the right equipment. As long as your child has what it needs to get started, they can run with the ball from there. Encourage your child with autism to play outdoors by providing them with toys like baseball gloves, kites, or jump ropes. At Monarch House, we encourage children to play outdoor sports or pick up other enjoyable outdoor activities like gardening, yoga, or gymnastics at the park. All in all, these can serve as enjoyable ways to disconnect from screens and engage in physical activity.

7. Establish Screen-Free Family Time

Children with autism gravitate towards fixed routines. It’s not uncommon for a parent or educator to fall back on using a screen when there is not a designated plan in place, so work out a schedule in advance that has room for both working on devices as well as getting some fresh air and exercise. Set aside specific times for family bonding without screens, such as game nights, nature walks, or going to the park. Find something that everyone enjoys doing, and make it a regular, fixed activity. 

8. Organize Community Activities

Encourage your child to be active in their community. There are many local events that can get them outside such as park cleanups, sports leagues, or birdwatching. Sometimes it’s just more fun to do things as a group. Community involvement can make outdoor activities more memorable, interactive, and enjoyable for all ages.

9. Limit Screen Use Before Bedtime

Avoid screens at least an hour before bedtime to improve sleep quality. In a study conducted on blue light and sleep, it was found that getting away from the light from screens and devices one hour before bed lead to a fifty percent decrease in tiredness the next day and slightly less than half of the studies found wellbeing to be increased.  Instead, engage in relaxing activities like meditating, reading, listening to soft music, taking a bath or shower or taking a short walk outdoors to wind down.

10. Reward Outdoor Participation

A hug, a sticker, a high five, or a special trip planned somewhere can go a long way towards promoting positive behaviours. Children with autism thrive on positive reinforcement. Create a reward system for time spent outdoors. For example, earning points for every hour outside that can be exchanged for a sticker, an eraser, game time, or a snack. This will keep both parent and child on track when it comes to prioritizing outdoor activities.

The era of mindless TV has been replaced with doom scrolling social media. The spectre of screens is still there, just in a different form. So what can a parent do? The idea is to create a healthy balance around both digital engagement and physical activity. At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff or occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to help. Collaborating with parents and caregivers, we can come up with strategies and ideas to get your child off screens and back into the outdoors. Putting down the iPhone or tablet for a few hours is an excellent way to foster a healthier lifestyle and develop a deeper appreciation of the natural world.