What you get by completing this session

  • 55 mins of CPD

    A 45 minute video lecture with presentation slides, you can stop and start anytime you like. 10 minute quiz is included.

  • Certificate of Completion

    Receive a certificate once you complete the session. Download this from your student dashboard or in your course completion email

  • Easy CPD Documentation

    Fill out the CPD Documentation activity at the end of the session, receive a PDF summary of your CPD activity and reflection right to your email inbox to save or print out!

What you'll learn in this expert session

Neuroscientists around the world are concerned that environmental impacts, like too much screen time and the lack of socialisation, have neurological consequences on the developing brain.

The consequences of developmental changes in young people due to screen use are increasingly being expressed as psychological and behavioural changes that very much resemble known disorders such as autism spectrum disorder or virtual autism.


Learning Objectives:

  • Outline the two main criteria for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Describe how a deficit in theory of mind affects people with ASD 
  • Examine the link between intensive early screen exposure (IESE) and the development of ASD symptoms 
  • Recommend screen-diets and nature exposure to families of children with symptoms of ASD or ADHD 


About the Expert

Dr Rachael Sharman

Dr Rachael Sharman is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in psychology, specialising in child/adolescent development. Her research is focused on the optimal and healthy development of the paediatric brain and has covered the neuro/psychological impacts of dietary practices of parents and their children, physical activity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, genetic disorders, concussion, and childhood trauma. Dr Sharman's current interests include: children’s play opportunities and the built environment, child protection issues including sexual abuse and high-conflict custody disputes, social media and adolescent development, and transitions from education to the workplace.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    How to complete this course

    • Instructions

  • 2

    Virtual Autism

    • Summary and learning objectives

    • Video lecture (45 mins)

    • Quiz: test your learning (10 mins)

  • 3

    Document your CPD here

    • CPD Documentation and Reflection Activity Tool

  • 4

    Feedback

    • Please let us know your thoughts