Dr Daniel Weisberg, Episodes
It’s Not What It Looks Like: Screen Time and Neurodivergent Children with Dr Daniel Weisberg
SENDcast Episode
It’s Not What It Looks Like: Screen Time and Neurodivergent Children
with Dr Daniel Weisberg
When you see a child glued to a screen, it’s easy to make assumptions. But for neurodivergent children, screen use is rarely what it looks like from the outside.
In this episode, Dale is joined by Dr. Daniel Weisberg a consultant clinical psychologist to discuss neurodivergent children, young people, and screen use.
Together, Dale and Daniel explore six key reasons why screens function very differently for neurodivergent children – from the haven of predictability that games provide in contrast to an overwhelming real world, to the role of screens in decompression and emotional regulation after a demanding day. They also dig into the neurobiology of dopamine, why the anticipation of screen time can be just as powerful as the screen use itself, and the important nuance between different types of screen time.
They also tackle the thorny subject of sleep – what screens actually do to the brain at night, why it’s not as simple as just switching off, and why the 70mph-to-standstill analogy might make you think twice about your own bedtime scrolling habits.
“It is a haven of predictability. It is a safe, secure, meaningful interaction – a complete contrast to the unsafe, insecure, unpredictable, confusing real world.”
— Dr Daniel Weisberg
Listen to this thought-provoking episode and you might just reconsider your assumptions next time you see a family with screens at the dinner table.
View all podcasts available or visit our SENDcast sessions shop!
Guest
Dr Daniel Weisberg
Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Managing Director of CAYP Psychology
Watch on YouTube
About the guest
Dr Daniel Weisberg
Dr Daniel Weisberg is a consultant clinical psychologist and the managing director of CAYP Psychology, an award-winning independent clinical psychology service for Children, Adolescents, and Young People.
Daniel worked for NHS services for over ten years. He has substantial experience of working with children, adolescents and young people experiencing health, social, emotional and psychological difficulties.
After he qualified as a clinical psychologist, he worked within Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust for Children’s Psychological Services. He then moved to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and worked within the Paediatric Psychosocial Department. Daniel specialised in paediatric neuropsychology, a highly specialised area of clinical psychology that aims to understand how children’s brains relate to their learning, behaviour and development. He worked closely with children and families who are living with neurological health conditions, genetic disorders, metabolic diseases and other health conditions.
Enjoyed this episode?
Help us make SENDcast even better
Share your thoughts or subscribe to get new episodes delivered every week.
Powered by
The SENDcast is powered by B Squared
We have been involved with Special Educational Needs for over 25 years, helping show the small steps of progress pupils with SEND make. B Squared has worked with thousands of schools, we understand the challenges professionals working in SEND face. We wanted a way to support these hardworking professionals – which is why we launched The SENDcast! Click the button below to find out more about how B Squared can help improve assessment for pupils with SEND in your school.
Introducing SENDcast Sessions
SENDcast Sessions are a new way for schools to access high quality CPD from SEND experts brought to you by the SENDcast. It’s the same great guests featured on our weekly podcast, delivering focused 1-hour online training sessions on a wide range of SEND topics.
SENDcast Sessions provide schools with in depth content that can be accessed forever. Build a library of online CPD that your school can continue to use in the future – choose from over 150 training sessions!
Visit the online shop
