治疗自闭症儿童的新方法――帮助自闭症儿童适应他们周围的环境

译文: 治疗自闭症儿童的新方法――帮助自闭症儿童适应他们周围的环境

自闭症的症状范围非常广泛，但是普通的自闭症儿童需要能够适应新的环境。

也就是说，什么样家庭的孩子患有自闭症？

注释：在美国自闭症协会的网站上发现，每出生150个新生儿中，就有1个例患有自闭症。

新的环境能让自闭症儿童有全方位的治疗

自闭症儿童似乎经常不理睬周围的人。他们很难用眼神去和别人交流，或很难和别人谈论一个话题。通常，自闭症儿童没有什么朋友。自闭症儿童在不同的新的环境（如商店，房间，公园等等）往往可以有新的改变。

对待事物的反应

给予自闭症儿童视觉上的刺激，会让他们产生强烈的影响。对于自闭症儿童来说，他们可能会对视觉刺激产生困扰。吊灯或充气物体可能会引起自闭症儿童的注意。

对待事物的感觉

自闭症儿童渴望某些触觉刺激。他们可能会被某些柔软或粗糙的触觉吸引。他们可能也会对这样的事情感到不安，这是事实。比如，对服装上，标签贴在接触皮肤的地方，他们可能会感到不适。

对待嗅觉的反应

自闭症儿童通常想用鼻子去嗅东西。这可以引起一定的社会关注，然而，最重要的是让孩子自己探索新的环境，不言而喻，必须教孩子这种适当的日常行为。

给家长的提示

试着提前带孩子去适应新的环境，如教室，托管所，营地。
给自闭症儿童一段时间去适应新的环境。安全和适应社会，这种适应过程是很重要的。

让孩子的需要一定的感官刺激，以缓解一些极端的探索。举例来说，自闭症儿童需要有触觉刺激。有些孩子可以较好地回应专业上称为深压的技术，如穿着偏重的背心或用来拂拭东西。当考虑这些选择时，关键是父母的计划与教育或专业治疗师了解孩子和他的独特需求。

乐意教导你孩子的需要，探索新的地方。帮助他们对适当的日常行为的深入了解。

原文: New Experiences for Autistic Child--Helping Kids with Autism Adjust to Their Surroundings

The range of the autism spectrum is vast, but in general children with autism need to be able to "take in" new surroundings.

What does this mean for families with children who are autistic?

Note: The Autism Society of America sites autism in the United States as occurring in one out of every 150 births.

New Environments Can Be All-Encompassing

Children with autism often seem to be unaware of other people. They may have difficulty making eye contact or carrying on a conversation. Often, other people appear to be non-existent to them. New environments (a store, a room, a park, etc.) are different. Children with autism may tend to explore those new places in a number of ways.

Reaction to How Things Look

Visual stimuli can have a strong impact on children on the autism spectrum. They may become obsessed with the visual stimuli in the place. Lights or dangling/blowing objects may have their full attention.

Reaction to How Things Feel

Children with autism are said to crave certain tactile stimuli. They may be attracted to certain “feels” – something that is soft or rough. Even though this is true, they may also find the way things feel as upsetting. For example, the tags on clothing may be a source of discomfort.

They may want to explore the pebble rocks on the playground by running their hands through them. While this is not a problem in and of itself, parents and caregivers will need to watch to make sure that the rocks are not put in the child’s mouth.

Reaction to Smells

Children on the autism spectrum often want to smell things. This can present certain social concerns, and while it is important to let the child explore his new environment, it goes without saying that appropriate social behaviors must be taught.

Tips for Parents

Try to visit new places such as classrooms, daycare, and camps ahead of time.

Allow time for the child on the autism spectrum to explore new environments. Safety and social appropriateness of this exploration are important.

Allow for the child’s need for certain sensory stimuli to ease some extreme exploration. For example, children on the autism spectrum have a need for tactile stimuli. Some children may respond well to what professionals call deep pressure techniques such as wearing a weighted vest or brushing. When considering these options, it is crucial that parents plan with an educator or occupational therapist who knows the child and his unique needs.

Be ready to educate those around you about your child’s need to explore new places. Enlist their help on reinforcing appropriate social behaviors.