Autism, a challenge that seems distant yet may silently descend upon every family, leaves countless parents feeling anxious and perplexed. Among these, the social difficulties faced by children with autism are particularly pronounced, resembling an invisible wall that hinders smooth communication between the child and the outside world. So, why do children with autism encounter such predicaments? Let us delve deeper into this matter and unveil the mystery for parents.
Social Impairment: The Core Feature of Autism
Autism, formally known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has as one of its core characteristics a significant impairment in social interaction abilities. This is not merely reflected in a child’s unwillingness or inability to engage with others; more fundamentally, it is their lack of capacity to understand the emotions, intentions, and social rules of others. This deficiency renders children with autism feeling out of place in social situations, struggling to fit in with groups.
A Dual Dilemma of Understanding and Expression
Firstly, children with autism struggle with understanding others. They often find it challenging to interpret non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, all of which are critical in daily social interactions. Therefore, even when others express friendliness or concern, children with autism may fail to accurately receive these signals, leading to misunderstandings or neglect.
Secondly, children with autism also face challenges in expressing themselves. They may lack the appropriate verbal or non-verbal means to convey their needs and emotions. This results in them appearing clumsy or inappropriate during interactions with others, further exacerbating their social impairments.
The Absence of Social Rules
Social activities adhere to a complex set of rules and etiquette that are often difficult for children with autism to grasp. They may not understand basic social rules such as taking turns in conversation, maintaining eye contact, or sharing toys, causing them to appear abrupt or out of sync in social interactions. This ignorance of social rules makes it challenging for them to establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
Differences in Perception and Cognition
Moreover, the ways in which children with autism perceive and cognize may differ from those of others. They might be overly sensitive or under-responsive to certain stimuli, such as sound or light. These perceptual differences may lead them to feel uncomfortable or anxious in social situations, causing them to avoid social activities. Additionally, their cognitive styles may also affect their processing and understanding of social information, making it difficult for them to think from others’ perspectives or predict their behavior.
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