In the world of children with autism, language is not just a bridge for communication but also a window for expressing and understanding emotions. However, many autistic children face obstacles in language development, with difficulties in eye contact often becoming a significant barrier to their integration into society and establishing effective communication. Nanjing Tianyou Children’s Hospital is well aware of this challenge and shares methods for eye contact training for autistic children to help them embark on a new chapter in language and social skills.
Eye Contact: The First Step in Communication
Eye contact is one of the most fundamental and important non-verbal communication methods in interpersonal interactions. It can convey information, express emotions, and build trust. For autistic children, learning eye contact is a key step in developing language abilities and enhancing social skills. Through eye contact, they can better understand others’ intentions and express their own needs and feelings.
Eye Contact Training: Combining Patience and Strategy
1. Establishing a Trusting Relationship
Firstly, parents and therapists need to establish a strong trusting relationship with the child. Daily intimate interactions, games, and care can help the child feel secure and warm, laying a good foundation for eye contact training.
2. Gradual Guidance
Start with simple eye contact and gradually increase the duration and difficulty. For example, during interactions, gently call the child’s name while lightly touching your own eyes with your finger to guide them to look at you. When the child makes eye contact, immediately provide positive feedback, such as smiles, hugs, or praise to enhance their motivation.
3. Using Visual Aids
Children with autism may be more sensitive to visual information. Therefore, visual aids like pictures and toys can be used to attract the child’s attention and guide them in making eye contact. For example, while telling a story, point to the pictures in the book while maintaining eye contact with the child to guide them through the story.
4. Learning Through Play
Integrate eye contact training into games to make the learning process more enjoyable and effective. For example, playing hide-and-seek can attract the child’s attention by hiding and appearing, encouraging them to actively seek out and establish eye contact with others.
5. Continuous Practice and Feedback
Eye contact training needs to be ongoing and practiced in daily life. Parents and therapists should closely observe the child’s progress and provide timely feedback and adjustments to the training plan. At the same time, it’s important to maintain patience and a positive attitude, believing in the child’s abilities and encouraging them to keep trying.
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