Screen Time

Every person is different.

Every parent is different.

Every family is different.

What works for one person, one parent, and one family won’t work for everyone else.

My son is 6 years old and autistic. He is also non-speaking. He uses an iPad with special software to communicate.

He has access to his iPad at all times. It is his voice. It is how he communicates. I will not take it away from him to reduce his screen time so I can meet someone else’s standards of a “good mother”.

I’m exhausted from the screen time shaming from people who have not walked in my shoes.

I embrace technology for my son because I have felt the heart break of him crying and frustrated unable to tell me anything….

I have also felt the joy of having him respond with his Ipad to a question that I’ve asked him.

I’ve talked to my son for years only to be met with silence. He is finally able to communicate with me now.

If I will be judged because of his access to his voice….so be it.

If you look at him closely you will see a little boy who is happy and loved. You will see a little boy who is fully accepted and adored by his family. You will see a little boy who is learning and growing.

He is not more or less than another child who does not use technology. He is just him.

I am not a perfect parent but I do know what works best for my child and my family.

So, just as I’ve always done, I’m going to do what works best for us. The opinions of others are just that.