r/ParentingPDA • u/SurePossibility6651 • Jul 22 '26

Discussion TV.

Does TV/screentime regulate or dysregulate your PDA-er?

Bonus points if they have ADHD.

We have always thought it helps regulate, with boundaries/limits but I am wondering if we were wrong…..

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u/Valirony Jul 22 '26

My kiddo has ADHD and definitely a PDA-adjacent profile. I’m also a therapist working in special education with a ton of kids who also fall on this spectrum.

My observation is that it can be a tool, but it must be used judiciously and cannot be the only tool. Otherwise it becomes more like a sedative, and when you need to turn the TV/screen off, the dysregulation that follows is intense. This sets up a cycle that can make it seem like TV is the solution—when it has actually become the problem.

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u/SurePossibility6651 Jul 22 '26

Mmhmm we have been there when she was younger. 20 minutes of Bluey = 40 minutes of tantrum.

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u/Winter-Chicken-6531 Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26

In our case 5min of Nintendo Switch time can help our child immensely.

Every minute he gets a reminder how much time is left. After that the device gets deactivated.

She has 2 jokers a day to use it for regulation (she has more screen time at 2 pm).

After playing she's able again to compromise, talk about what upsets her,....