808 - How are Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Digital Media? A Qualitative Study of Families' Lived Experiences

Publication Number: 808.5228

Deanna L. Pennewitt, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States; Aubrey L. Borgen, Square One: Specialists in Child and Adolescent Development, Louisville, KY, United States; Megan M. Warfle, Sunfield Center, Dansville, MI, United States; Tiffany Munzer, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States

Background: Digital media are almost universally adopted by children and families and are designed in a way to prolong user engagement. Given these design characteristics, children with autism spectrum disorder may gravitate toward digital media with both positive and negative outcomes. Prior literature has focused largely on duration of digital media use as an outcome and has not examined the nuanced ways in which school-age children with autism are using digital media and its impacts on family functioning.

Objective: Therefore, we aim to qualitatively characterize among caregivers and school-age children with autism
1) The content, context, and function of digital media used
2) Behavioral strategies and rules around digital media used
3) Challenges faced in navigating the digital world

Design/Methods: Caregivers of children with autism (6 to 10 years of age) completed three questionnaires: 1) a survey on demographic information, child characteristics, and digital media habits, 2) Problematic Media Use Measure Short Form and 3) the Regulatory Use of Media questionnaire. Caregivers and their children with autism were invited to participate in focus groups or individual interviews via Zoom to probe for shared experiences. Questions were generated based upon prior literature. An iterative process was used to tailor questions incorporating feedback from participant interviews. Interviews were transcribed and an interdisciplinary group of 2 DBPs and 2 psychologists conducted a qualitative thematic analysis.

Results: 22 parent participants and 10 child participants completed surveys and focus groups/interviews. See Table 1 for demographic information. We identified seven themes (see Table 2): Diving Deep and Building Skills, Wired World, Societal Blame and Parental Shame, No Size Fits All, Retreat/Relief from Reality, The Digital Dark Side, and The Double Edged Sword.

Conclusion(s): The wired world is not designed for the unique needs of neurodiverse children, making it harder for families to balance the benefits of digital media with its potential pitfalls. This study emphasizes the need for individualized guidance, flexibility, and understanding the functional role of digital media within the family.

Table 1: Demographic Information and Background Data on Digital Media Habits
Table 1: ITN= Income to Needs Ratio, PMUM= Problematic Media Use Measure, PMU= Problematic Media Use

Table 2: Themes
Themes identified from interviews and focus groups as well as representative quotes from participants