Disconnect to Reconnect: Helping Autistic Teens Build Healthy Tech Habits with Dr. Neil Christensen

In episode 57, Dr. Neil Christensen joins Dr. Park and Alta to break down why neurodivergent teens—especially autistic and ADHD youth—are significantly more vulnerable to digital media overuse. Drawing from decades in wilderness therapy and his Disconnect to Reconnect study, Neil explains the neurological, social, and emotional factors that pull teens toward excessive gaming, social media, and online communities.He shares why screens offer a powerful sense of control, predictability, and instant reward, and how this can escalate into dependency—especially when teens feel isolated, bullied, or misunderstood in real life.This episode is a compassionate, eye-opening guide for families navigating digital overwhelm in the neurodiverse community.10/6/25