Cold Hard Truths: Virtual Autism

06/08/2025 19 min Episodio 4
Cold Hard Truths: Virtual Autism

Listen "Cold Hard Truths: Virtual Autism"

Episode Synopsis


Hosts Julianna Scott and Kelley Jensen explore the controversial term "virtual autism," coined by Romanian psychologist Marius Zomfier in 2018 to describe behavioral abnormalities in children aged 0-3 exposed to excessive screen time. The discussion clarifies that virtual autism is not real autism and examines the developmental impacts of early screen exposure. Through social media posts from concerned parents, they address common fears and misconceptions while emphasizing that screen-related developmental delays are potentially reversible, unlike autism spectrum disorder.Key TakeawaysVirtual autism is not real autism - it's better described as a neurodevelopmental disorder due to early screen exposureThe term refers to children 0-3 years old exposed to 4+ hours daily of tablets/phones, not TVZero to three years is critical for language development and communication skillsVirtual autism symptoms include delayed speech, limited vocabulary, avoiding eye contact, and withdrawalUnlike autism, virtual autism is considered "curable" by removing screen exposureThe 0-3 age range is when children develop crucial communication foundations like pointing and seeking attentionParents should be honest with healthcare providers about screen time during assessmentsEducational programming like Sesame Street is preferable to entertainment-only contentSave screens as high-value rewards for specific situations like potty trainingFocus on face-to-face interaction and real-world experiences for optimal development\🔗 Learn More: Website: refrigeratormoms.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/refrigeratormoms/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/refrigeratormoms Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/refrigeratormoms/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@RefrigeratorMoms