A book for parents of young children
A screen cannot take a turn.
Babies learn to talk by taking turns with a person who answers them. Virtual Autism explains what the research on screens and the youngest children really shows, where it falls short, and what families can do at home.
“virtual autism”A phrase, not a diagnosis
Paperback, hardcover and ebook. 340 pages, with charts, notes, references and an index.
- 340 pages
- 400+ references, limits stated
- 40+ countries and territories
- 3 formats
Plain words first
What “virtual autism” means, and what it doesn’t
A phrase, not a diagnosis
Parents use it when a toddler in a screen-heavy home shows delays that look like early signs of autism. No diagnostic manual includes it.
Screens do not cause autism
Autism is a lifelong, highly heritable difference. No study has shown that screens cause it, and no parent is to blame.
The question is real
Large studies link heavy early screen time with later concerns. They cannot show cause, and the book says so plainly.
The story
It begins with one family
A parent’s search at one in the morning, a television that went into hiding and the evaluation that parent wishes they had never tried to cancel. The story names no one; identifying details have been changed or left out wherever possible.
Read about the book
The evidence and the guidance
What the largest studies found, and what to do on Monday
- One study of more than 84,000 children, and where it falls short
- What health authorities in more than forty countries and territories advise
- A plan for the first week with the screens off
- How to ask for an evaluation, and why to keep it even in a good week
Get the book
Three formats. Same 340 pages.
Prices are list prices in US dollars.
Kindle ebook
$9.99
Read on a phone, a tablet or a Kindle.
También en español: Autismo virtual (Kindle): Amazon.com · Amazon.com.mx · Amazon.es
Four promises this book keeps
It names no one, promises no miracle, blames no parent, and shows its sources.
It names no one
Identifying details in the family story have been changed or left out wherever possible.
It promises no miracle
Children change for many reasons. The book makes no medical claims.
It blames no parent
Screens fill hard days in all kinds of homes. This is a book about what to add, not who to fault.
It shows its sources
More than four hundred references, with the studies’ limits stated alongside their findings.
For PTAs, parent groups and early-years teachers
Bring it to your PTA
Parents and teachers want the same thing: children who talk, play and pay attention. These pages are free, written to be shared, and short enough for one evening.
The four commitments
None before six. After six, a little, slow and shared. Screen-free rooms for the youngest. Ask the question everywhere a young child is seen.
Read the four commitmentsFor parents
Give screens a spot and a time, replace before you remove, and keep the evaluation appointment, whatever you see in the first week.
For parentsFor child-care providers
The standard already exists, and it is on your side. A screen-free day has a shape, and the late afternoon needs a plan.
For child-care providersFor schools and towns
Decide the one ask, put questions in writing, find three other parents, and speak for three minutes with a one-page handout.
For schools and townsBook club questions
For book clubs, parent groups, early-childhood classes and professional reading circles.
Book club questionsGuidelines by country
What health authorities around the world advise for babies and toddlers, side by side.
Guidelines by countryReading it as a group?
Each member can get a copy at any bookstore or borrow one from a library, and the discussion questions are free on this site.
Coming to the shop
Wear the one line
Shirts and totes carry the book’s own words, printed to order.
“A screen cannot take a turn.” teeComing soon
“Take a turn.” toteComing soon
Printables for families and schools: The First Thirty Days, Letters You Can Copy and moreComing soon
The Grandparent's Guide to TurnsComing soon
The Screen-Free Sitter KitComing soon
Before the Baby Comes: the turns-first home planComing soon
The Child-Care Centre Pack: screen-free rooms for the youngestComing soon
The Waiting-Room Pack: for pediatric and family practicesComing soon
The Turns Storytime Pack: for libraries and story hoursComing soon
Unplugged Family Night: a host-it-yourself kit for parent groupsComing soon
The Workplace Parent Pack: turns for working familiesComing soon
The Grown-Ups' Phone Plan: thirty evenings of turnsComing soon
The Home Visitor Pack: turns on every visitComing soon
The Big Kids’ Turns Pack: ages 5 to 12Coming soon
Páginas para familiasComing soon
The Two-Home Turns Pack: the spot, the bag and the routine in two housesComing soon
The Car Ride and Waiting Pack: turns on the road, in line and on transitComing soon
Dad & Me: 52 weekly turns missionsComing soon
Turns for Two (or Three): the spot and the floor with twins and multiplesComing soon
The New Teacher’s Turns Pack: a screen-free room from day oneComing soon
The Visits Pack: the spot away from home, the bag and the relativesComing soon
Play-Based Preschool at Home: a 36-week year of turnsComing soon
El paquete para la sala de espera: para consultorios pediátricos y de medicina familiarComing soon
El paquete para centros infantiles: salas sin pantallas para los más pequeñosComing soon
The Teen's Turns Pages: a household agreement written for 13 to 17Coming soon
The Table Kit: a stall for a health fair, a market or a family dayComing soon
The Coach’s Turns Card: screen-free benches and waiting at practiceComing soon
“Virtual autism” is not a medical diagnosis. Not affiliated with the documentary A Stone Unturned or its website, virtualautism.org.
Questions parents ask
Before you order
Does the book say screens cause autism?
No. Autism is a lifelong, highly heritable difference, and no study has shown that screens cause it. The book is about language, attention and turn-taking in the youngest children, and it says where the research stops.
Is it a medical book?
It is a book for parents, written in plain language, with more than four hundred references. It is not medical advice. If you are concerned about your child’s development, talk to your child’s doctor, and the book shows how to ask for an evaluation.
When can I buy it?
It is on sale now. The store buttons above go straight to each format’s own page.
Can our PTA or parents’ group read it together?
Yes. The book club questions and the pages for parents, child-care providers, schools and towns are free on this site, and each member can get a copy at any bookstore or borrow one from a library.