Noah is an intelligent and imaginative boy with a deep love for strategy games and coding. He lives with his parents and older brother. Noah has a diagnosis of ADHD and struggles with impulse control and emotional regulation.
Presenting Issues:
- Explosive Aggression: Ending a gaming session would consistently trigger intense meltdowns, including screaming, throwing controllers, and physical aggression towards his parents.
- Social Withdrawal: Noah had begun refusing to attend soccer practice or family outings, preferring to stay in his room gaming for 4-6 hours a day.
- Mood Volatility: Even when not playing, Noah was irritable, lethargic, and quick to anger, often complaining of boredom with "real life."
The Challenge
For Noah’s parents, the device had morphed from a fun hobby into a source of constant conflict. They felt they had lost their son to the screen.
Impact at Home & School:
- At Home: The household revolved around Noah’s screen schedule. Parents walked on eggshells, afraid to enforce limits for fear of the inevitable explosion. Family dinners were silent or filled with arguments about his "attitude."
- At School: Noah’s teachers reported that he was often tired and unfocused. He would rush through his work carelessly or refuse to do it at all, stating that school was "boring" compared to his games. His grades were slipping, and he was isolating himself from peers during recess to talk about games with older students.
- Sleep Disruption: Noah was often sneaking his tablet into bed, leading to late nights and exhausted, grumpy mornings where he refused to get ready for school.
We thought we had to ban screens completely to get our son back. daar showed us that it wasn't about the device, but how we managed the transition. Now, Noah turns it off himself.
daar Therapy Approach
Noah’s family turned to daar for help. We implemented a Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) plan focused on "The Dopamine Drop" and teaching Noah self-regulation skills.
Key Interventions Implemented:
- The "Bridge" Activity: We introduced a mandatory transition activity. Before screen time ended, Noah had to engage in a high-sensory physical activity (like a 5-minute obstacle course or walking the dog) to help his brain adjust from the high-stimulation of gaming to the slower pace of real life.
- Visual Timers & Warnings: We replaced verbal nagging with a visual timer. Noah received warnings at 10, 5, and 1-minute marks, allowing him to mentally prepare for the "Game Over" moment.
- Collaborative Media Agreement: We sat down with Noah and created a contract. He helped decide the "fair" amount of time (1 hour on weekdays, 2 on weekends) and the consequences for breaking the rules. This gave him a sense of ownership.
- The Premack Principle: We flipped the script. Instead of gaming being a "right," it became a reward. "First homework/chores, Then gaming." This motivated Noah to complete his tasks efficiently.
- Tech-Free Zones: We established the bedrooms and dining table as "No Tech Zones" to protect sleep and family connection.
Results and Progress
The shift was challenging at first, but consistency paid off. Noah began to realize that he could enjoy gaming without it controlling his life.
Measurable Improvements:
- Meltdown Reduction: Post-screen tantrums decreased from daily occurrences to less than once a month within 6 weeks.
- Re-engagement: Noah has returned to soccer practice and even started a coding club at school, channeling his interest in a social and productive way.
- Sleep Hygiene: With devices out of the bedroom, Noah is getting an extra 90 minutes of sleep per night, leading to a marked improvement in his mood and school focus.
- Self-Regulation: Noah now sets his own timer and often turns the device off before it rings to "save" minutes for the weekend.
Key Outcomes
Noah’s story proves that screen time behavior problems are solvable with the right approach.
- Balance is Possible: You don't have to choose between technology and peace. Structured limits create freedom.
- Biology Matters: Understanding the "dopamine crash" helped parents respond with empathy and strategy rather than anger.
- Empowerment: By involving Noah in the solution, he learned valuable life skills in self-control and time management.
Conclusion
Technology is here to stay, but it doesn't have to rule your home. At daar, we help families navigate the digital age with behaviour therapy for children that respects their interests while protecting their well-being.
If screens are causing chaos in your family, let us help you find the reset button.
Ready to restore balance to your home?
Contact daar today to learn how our specialized behaviour support plans can help your child thrive online and offline.