http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-226410,00.html

March 05, 2002

Thomas on right track for autistic
By Laura Peek
 
THE calm, slow narration of the Thomas the Tank Engine TV programme helps children with autism and Asperger syndrome to develop, a report by the National Autistic Society said yesterday.

Children with autism have trouble communicating and understanding emotions, but the exaggerated fixed facial expressions of the characters make it easy for them to understand what emotion is being felt, the report found.

Simple scenery and bold colours also help autistic children who are distracted by details and changes in sound or movement. The study of 81 parents found that children with autism identifed with Thomas more than any other character.

Around a third of parents said that they thought their child was obsessed with the character. A quarter said that the programme was a “gateway” to learning, helping their children with colours, numbers and language.

Some children mimicked the language. One mother said: “He speaks in Thomas language constantly. He says, ‘Bust my buffers!’ as an expression of surprise.”

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