Digitalization is triggering autism!

Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, stating that early signs of autism can be measured through various tests, said that a serious increase in autism has been observed in recent times due to digitalization.

Drawing attention to screen exposure in children, Tarhan said, "Particularly from the 2000s onwards, autism cases have tripled compared to the previous 10 years, and show a threefold increase every 10 years."

Prof. Dr. Tarhan: "Weakening family structures cause children whose attachment needs are not met to become attached to television, toys, or substances at later ages. Developing secure attachment in children is vital in preventing problems such as autism."

Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, addressed the topics of digitalization and autism.

Autism is a multifactorial genetic disease!

Stating that autism is a multifactorial and polygenetic disease, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, "That is, while it is not linked to a single gene, it has a genetic dimension. Environmental factors of the disease are also important. Before problematic behaviors emerge, the behaviors of the mother and other family members are investigated. In most of these investigations, high anxiety levels are observed in mothers, angry moods, lack of social support, and insufficient coping skills. Additionally, depressive states may be present in the family. These conditions can increase problematic behaviors in children. There are usually genetic predispositions for autism."

The genetic dimension of autism...

Noting that the genetic dimension of autism manifests in two ways, Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan said, "First, there may be a genetic structure called a 'causative gene.' In this case, no matter what is done, the disease manifests due to this gene. That is, no matter how healthy parental attitudes are, autism symptoms begin to appear in the child.

This is a purely causative genetic condition and there is a gene that is the direct cause of the disease. Second are individuals with a 'susceptibility gene.' In these individuals, autism symptoms do not emerge unless the necessary environmental conditions exist. However, in individuals carrying a susceptibility gene, the brain under stress begins to produce faulty proteins. If this susceptibility gene does not exist, such faulty protein production does not occur under normal circumstances. Therefore, in individuals with a susceptibility gene, autism symptoms are triggered by environmental factors, whereas in individuals with causative genetic structure, symptoms inevitably emerge."

When does autism appear?

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that classic autism generally appears in early childhood, saying, "Sometimes a child begins to speak but suddenly closes off. This condition can also be a sign of autism. However, autism symptoms are usually noticed with delayed speech. If there is a delay in speech in the child, this leads to suspicion of autism. Additionally, these children display repetitive behaviors. They may show resistance to new situations or changes.

This condition is called 'adherence to routine.' For example, they may always want to sit in the same place in the evening, always want to go to school via the same route, always want to sit in the same desk in class, or always arrange toys in the same way. Besides this, behaviors such as repeatedly turning the wheel of a toy car, constantly spinning a rotating chair, or showing intense interest in rotating things like washing machines are frequently observed. They may also be interested in shiny objects and may like collecting shiny things such as glass or metal."

What are the symptoms of autism?

Explaining that these symptoms may be observed mildly at first but may increase over time, Prof. Dr. Tarhan continued:

"Not making eye contact is one of the most distinctive features of these children. They struggle to establish emotional bonds. When you hold an autistic child, the warmth that should exist between mother and child is not felt; these children display a cold and distant demeanor. Since the social brain and social and emotional areas are not sufficiently developed, emotional transfer is weak in these children. The mathematical or visual areas of the brain may be well developed. This can even manifest as in Asperger syndrome. For example, a child may be able to perform extraordinary calculations or draw a magnificent picture; however, they may struggle to chat with someone or button a button.

Additionally, they may not laugh at a joke that everyone else finds funny or may struggle in social interactions. This causes them to fall behind their peers. Language skills, fine and gross motor skills may also be problematic in autistic children. Language development in particular plays a critical role in understanding autism symptoms. Normally, a child is expected to babble around 1.5 years of age and begin forming two-syllable sentences at 2 years. If a child has not formed sentences by 3-4 years of age, this can become a more serious problem."

Increased from the 2000s onwards

Also noting that early signs of autism can be measured through various tests, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "Skills such as a child's ability to stack blocks correctly around 2 years of age and form two-syllable sentences are evaluated. However, a serious increase in autism is being observed due to the effects of digitalization. Particularly from the 2000s onwards, autism cases have tripled compared to the previous 10 years, and show a threefold increase every 10 years. An official announcement was made in the United States in 2023. It says 'one in 36 children is beginning to have autism.'"

The real issue is screen exposure!

Noting that the real issue is screen exposure, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "This is particularly critical for children aged 0-3 years. Normally, children in this age group feel the need to speak and communicate. However, when you give a child a screen, this need is no longer felt and is met in an easily accessible environment. Screens offer a colorful, moving, and attractive world. The child becomes merely a viewer in this attention-grabbing environment and does not feel the need to produce words. Whereas, when a child communicates with their mother or friends, they must speak and produce words.

This way, the areas of the brain that produce words, give meaning and emotion to words, and express them become active. However, since the child is only in a listening position in front of a screen, only the areas related to listening work in the brain. Since other areas are not active, connections between these areas do not develop. If these critical connections in the brain are not formed by age 4, then subsequently providing this development becomes a difficult and lengthy process. Language and speech therapies are needed to try to compensate for these deficiencies. Therefore, the 0-3 age period is an extremely critical period in terms of brain development."

No screens for children aged 0-2 in Sweden

Explaining that the Swedish government made a statement a while ago that children aged 0-2 should absolutely not be given screens, screen time for ages 2-5 should be limited to 1 hour per day, screen time for ages 5 and above should not exceed 3 hours, especially during school age, and attention should be paid to this duration until adolescence, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "We also understand how important these restrictions are from the treatment processes.

When screen exposure is reduced in children diagnosed with autism, autism symptoms are observed to rapidly regress. This is an important finding regarding the fact that screen use increases autism symptoms. Additionally, when children are removed from screens, they rapidly begin to show development. These observations clearly reveal the causal link between screen exposure and developmental problems. The human brain is an organ that continues to develop after birth."

The human brain is programmed to learn in a social environment

Stating that human infants are neuropsychologically premature at birth, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "Children walk around one year of age and only reach full maturity around 14-15 years of age. The human brain is programmed to learn in a social environment, and therefore in early periods requires an appropriate environment for healthy communication, speech, and social interaction."

There is also learned autism!

Recording that learned autism exists, just like learned helplessness and learned optimism, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "If detected early, it can be treated. But even at advanced ages, if there is continuous screen exposure, excessive computer screen exposure, and also in individuals who have developed digital addiction, when we apply autism scales, they come out autistic. It is very common in adolescents. Their only interest is computers and digital, they also appear autistic. They fail socially. They even become hackers and do amazing work, but they cannot sit down and chat with friends. That is, they have such strange odd behaviors. They behave contrary to everyone. They look funny. Then they begin to isolate themselves. They cannot marry or sustain a marriage."

There are also very mildly autistic individuals

Stating that autism is a spectrum disorder and very mildly autistic individuals can exist, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "It is claimed that Einstein was autistic and this appears to align with some of his behaviors. He is eccentric—not fond of socializing, sitting and chatting, dealing with children, dealing with his spouse, or conversing. But he is superior in one area. That is, his logical intelligence is superior. His social and emotional intelligence is dragging on the ground. But if a person wants, they can change this. In fact, we no longer call this autism but rather social communication disorder."

There are various treatment methods applicable after diagnosis

Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, emphasizing that establishing an autism diagnosis is of great importance, continued:

"There are various treatment methods that can be applied after diagnosis. Especially when detected at an early age, positive results can be obtained through intervention. In some cases, a condition called clip syndrome is observed. A child is brought in at 3-4 years of age with autism symptoms, particularly with the complaint of delayed speech. However, upon examination, it is found that the child has been continuously exposed to a screen. Previously television, now tablets can be the source of this condition. The child becomes a state where they do not need to speak from watching clips for hours. Meanwhile, parents view the child's being calm as an advantage and focus on their own tasks.

However, this negatively affects the child's brain development and slows development. When screen exposure is reduced, especially if intervention occurs before age 4, the child can recover quickly. During this process, parents' conscious attitude is of critical importance. During treatment, digital screen exposure is first reduced. Then, digital tools begin to be used purposefully. The child is directed to use digital for useful purposes such as education, learning, and socialization rather than entertainment. When digital tools serve a purpose, they can have positive effects. However, when used randomly, solely for entertainment, the child becomes a prisoner of social media or the digital world."

In individuals on the autism spectrum, only certain areas of the brain are observed to be active

Explaining that children experience a kind of "booming" in the brain during their developmental periods, especially between 0-3 years of age, and during this time, similar to flowers rapidly blooming in spring; synapses (pathways in the brain) develop at great speed, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "During this period, the brain learns and develops many abilities such as fine motor, gross motor skills, language, social and emotional skills. More than 50 percent of brain development occurs during this period. Similar synaptic explosions occur during adolescence. This is the biological basis of the unbalanced behaviors seen in adolescence.

During this period, the attitudes of the environment play an important role in the individual's search for and discovery of identity. In individuals on the autism spectrum, however, only certain areas of the brain are observed to be active. To activate unused areas, treatments are applied from an early age. Sensory integration therapy is one of these methods. The areas of the brain that are not being used are identified and special exercises are performed to activate these areas."

Treatments and education applied between ages 0-3 make a big difference in the child's development
Recording that technologies such as magnetic stimulation therapy are also used in autism treatment today, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "Magnetic stimuli are applied to the brain to stimulate cells and connections, thereby promoting development. A treatment method called Theta Burst is applied with magnetic stimuli lasting only 2-3 minutes. After the stimulation, special training is given to the child to support their learning.

Autism treatment is not limited to technological approaches alone. Trace elements, amino acids, and genetic screening are also performed. However, early intervention is the most critical factor. Especially treatments and education applied between ages 0-3 and 0-6 can make a big difference in the child's development. Activating unused areas of the brain is done with an approach similar to muscle development. Language and speech skills can be acquired this way."

Parental attitude is of great importance

Stating that today's reckless use of social media and digitalization can create negative effects, especially on children, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "At this point, parental attitude is of great importance. Parents being adequate and conscious directly affects children's development. If parents can equip their children with problem-solving and stress management skills, even if they have autism susceptibility genes, these genes will not become active. These types of genes are called 'silent genes' or 'sleeping genes' and become active only in stressful environments. Strengthening families is a key factor in preventing autism and the treatment process. It is possible to reduce the risk of autism in children growing up in a healthy social environment."

Developing secure attachment in children is very important

However, stating that it is not correct to attribute everything to social media or digital media, Prof. Dr. Tarhan said, "Weakening family structures cause children whose attachment needs are not met to become attached to television, toys, or substances at later ages. Developing secure attachment in children is vital in preventing problems such as autism. Secure attachment should be taught from an early age. However, today's modern lifestyle disrupts this attachment and leads to problems such as anxious attachment or avoidant attachment.

These attachment problems create fertile ground for children to become anxious and ill. Being able to teach attachment is one of the most important aspects of parenting. The oxytocin hormone, which plays an important role in the attachment process, supports healthy attachment. However, it is known that this hormone is not sufficiently secreted in children on the autism spectrum. Therefore, a family environment that supports secure attachment and conscious parenting have a critical role in reducing autism risk and ensuring healthy development." He concluded his remarks.