Recent research than aims to unravel all possible factors that could probably play a significant role in the development of autism which has baffled doctors worldwide for years together, has homed on to excessive television viewing as a very plausible reason for triggering off the development of autism in children .
Autism is a developmental disorder that adversely affects the communication skills and social interactions of an individual. Usually noticed among children in the pre-school age when normal communication and interactive skills seem hampered, Autism has soared in numbers across the world over the past few years.The statistical data collected by Waldman and colleagues, from across the states of California, Oregon, and Washington has brought out some very interesting facts. It has been noted that there is a high incidence of autism among toddlers who stay in areas which predominantly has a lot of rains annually. Further investigations led the researchers to understand that toddlers were hampered from going out doors to play because of the rains. Instead they would be cooped up indoors for several hours at times watching television to keep them busy. It has been proved from previous research reports that watching too much television could drastically affect a toddlers communication skills and influence social interactions negatively.
On the grounds of this research the researchers have exhorted all parents not to ignore the warning given by experienced paediatricians to curtail and minimize the number of hours devoted to watching T.V for very young children. The American Academy of Pediatrician’s have recommended that children above the age of two should not be allowed to spend more than one hour a day watching and those below two not be allowed to watch TV at all in light of the umpteen detrimental effects seen caused by it.
Source-Medindia
MST
