Maladaptive Daydreaming

Does your child ever look like they are in their own world? New research has coined the term “maladaptive daydreaming,” which is described as an episode in which individuals escape into a virtual world they’ve created in their minds. Maladaptive daydreaming is most common among individuals with autism spectrum disorder as well as children and adolescents who have advanced visual-spatial skills.

Our children at Insight Collective report that their daydreaming episodes are often a volitional escape from reality, best facilitated by physical movement. They describe a tendency to create elaborate scenes, scripts, and movie-like experiences with novel characters acting out their fantasies. While this coping skill can serve as an incredible strength and a sought-after talent in the media and entertainment industry, research finds that it is often linked to loneliness and an inability to regulate one’s emotions.

Children often enjoy their time daydreaming and find it more tedious to have to participate in real-life one-on-one social interactions, further perpetuating social skills deficits.

Next time you see your child daydreaming, it will be important to ask yourself what function does the serve? How often is this taking place? And what can I do to help? Insight Collective can help uncover the underlying processes that influence your child’s tendency to engage in maladaptive daydreaming. A full neuropsychological assessment will include an exploration of their developmental history and current presentation, ultimately giving you the answers to those questions. Recommendations may include engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and more!