2025.02.03ブログ
自閉性スペクトラム障害（ASD)のコミュニケーション力は上がる可能性はある、神奈川県厚木市の児童精神科医が解説
自閉性スペクトラム障害（ASD)のコミュニケーション力は上がる可能性はある、神奈川県厚木市の児童精神科医が解説
こんにちは、神奈川県厚木の児童精神科専門クリニック、きもとメンタルクリニックです。
今回は、自閉性スペクトラム障害（ASD)のコミュニケーション力は上がる可能性はある、について解説します。
ASDの中核症状は、対人相互性の障害、つまり他者の心を想像する力、です。
心という見えないものを見る力、とも言えます。
これが苦手だと、コミュニケーションにおいて、相手の意図や気持ち、感情、思考を、想像する力が苦手なので、意図を取り違えたり、場の空気をよめなかったり、することがあります。
しかし多くの人は、対人相互性の障害はあるものの、欠如しているわけではありません。
なんとなくは分かるが、時に間違える、といった感じでしょう。
このくらいであれば、子どもの時からのコミュニケーションの経験により、失敗体験を記憶することで、ある程度推測して会話を進めることができるようになっている人もいます。
あとは、ある程度パターン化されたコミュニケーションカードをどのように使っていくかを、瞬時に判断して、間違えないように手札をきっていくという作業になります。
これは並行作業となるので、ADHDの不注意症状があると、この作業効率が落ちます。
ゆっくり考えたらあっていたが、早くやると間違えてしまうことがでてきてしまいます。
このケースではADHD治療薬がかなり効くことがあります。
不注意が改善することで、コミュニケーション時の判断力が上がり、結果としてずれることが少なくなります。
ASDの診断がつくとコミュニケーションの苦手さはしょうがないとなりがちですが、そんなことはないのです。
そしてASDとADHDは併存しやすいため、このパターンに当てはまる方は割といます。
もしかしたら自分もそうかもしれないと思う方は、ぜひ当院へご相談ください。
Today, I will discuss whether communication skills can improve in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
1. The Core Symptoms of ASD and Communication Challenges
The core symptom of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is impairment in social reciprocity, which means difficulty in understanding the minds of others.
This can also be described as the ability to "see" the unseen concept of the mind.
Individuals with ASD often struggle to interpret intentions, emotions, and thoughts in social interactions. This can lead to misunderstandings, misreading social cues, and difficulties in adapting to conversations.
However, many individuals with ASD do have some level of social understanding, even if it is impaired rather than completely absent.
For instance, they may grasp social cues to some extent but occasionally misinterpret them.
2. Can Communication Skills Improve in ASD?
(1) Learning Through Experience
Some individuals with ASD can develop better communication skills through repeated social experiences.
By learning from past mistakes and social failures, they gradually improve their ability to predict social interactions.
For example:
They may recall previous communication failures and adjust their responses accordingly.
Over time, they develop a pattern-based approach to conversations, allowing them to navigate social situations with more accuracy.
(2) Using Structured Communication Strategies
Many individuals with ASD rely on pattern-based communication strategies to interact effectively.
This can be compared to playing a card game, where they quickly select the most appropriate communication "card" based on the situation.
However, this requires real-time decision-making, which can be challenging if they have coexisting attention deficits.
(3) The Role of ADHD in Social Communication
Individuals with co-occurring ASD and ADHD may face additional difficulties in communication due to attention deficits.
For example:
If they take time to process social cues, they may understand them correctly.
However, in fast-paced interactions, they may misinterpret or respond inappropriately.
In such cases, ADHD treatment (such as stimulant medications) can significantly improve attention and processing speed, leading to:
Better real-time decision-making in conversations.
Fewer misunderstandings and more accurate social responses.
3. Communication Challenges in ASD Are Not Set in Stone
A diagnosis of ASD does not mean permanent social difficulties.
Many individuals with ASD can improve their communication skills through structured learning and practice.
Those with co-occurring ADHD may benefit significantly from ADHD treatment, which can enhance their ability to process and respond to social cues effectively.
Because ASD and ADHD frequently coexist, this pattern applies to many individuals.
4. Seeking Professional Support
If you feel that you or someone you know struggles with communication difficulties related to ASD or ADHD, we encourage you to seek professional consultation.
At Wako Clinic, we provide comprehensive assessments and personalized treatment plans to help individuals enhance their social skills and overall well-being.
Please feel free to contact us for more information.
