2025.03.14ブログ
コミュニケーショントレーニングは非言語のものでも効果的、神奈川県厚木市の児童精神科医が解説
コミュニケーショントレーニングは非言語のものでも効果的、神奈川県厚木市の児童精神科医が解説
こんにちは、神奈川県厚木市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、コミュニケーショントレーニングは非言語のものでも効果的、について解説します。
ASDの子のコミュニケーショントレーニングはしゃべれるようになってきたら、カウンセリングや言語トレーニングが有効ですが、それ以前であれば、非言語のトレーニング、プレイセラピーも有効です。
コミュニケーションとは、言葉をつかうものばかりではないからです。
誰かに自分の意志を伝える、これがコミュニケーションの本質です。
そしてASDの中核症状である、対人相互性の障害、他者への興味を改善させるためには、言語、非言語、どちらも非常に重要です。
例えばプレイセラピーですと、担当心理士が年単位で担当しますので、そのこと自体にも意味があります。
同じ相手との継続的な関係を構築すること、そしてそれが家族以外であること、今の時代、普通に生活しているとそういう相手がいることの方がめずらしいのではないでしょうか。
児童精神科は長期的に通院する方が多い診療科です。
他者との信頼関係の獲得が苦手なASDの子たちにとって、家族以外にそういう相手がいるということ自体が、基本的信頼感の獲得に大きく貢献します。
他人の心を自分の中におくことは、非常にASDの子たちにとってはむつかしいので、それを成長させるためには長い時間が必要です。
そして多くの子供たちをみていると、もともとASDの特性で非言語理解が苦手だった子も、少しずつできるようになっていき、大人になるころには通常の獲得とはやり方は異なるかもしれませんが、仕事や日常生活では問題ないレベルまで改善している子たちはたくさんいます。
何事もあきらめず継続することが重要です。
非言語コミュニケーショントレーニングにご興味のある方は、当院までご相談ください。
Today, I will explain why non-verbal communication training can be effective and how it can benefit children, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Why Is Non-Verbal Communication Training Effective?
Communication is not limited to spoken language. The essence of communication is conveying one’s thoughts and intentions to another person.
For children with ASD, who often struggle with social interactions, both verbal and non-verbal communication skills play a crucial role in their development.
If a child has started to develop verbal communication skills, counseling and language-based training can be beneficial. However, before verbal skills are fully developed, non-verbal training, such as play therapy, can be just as effective.
📌 "Building communication skills doesn’t always require words!"
1. ASD and Challenges in Social Interaction
ASD is characterized by difficulties in social reciprocity and limited interest in others. These core symptoms make communication challenging, but improvements can be made through structured training.
✅ Verbal communication training → Helps develop speech, language, and structured social skills
✅ Non-verbal communication training → Enhances social reciprocity, emotional expression, and understanding of non-verbal cues
Both forms of training are equally important in helping ASD children build relationships and navigate social interactions.
📌 "For children with ASD, understanding and responding to non-verbal cues can be just as important as learning to speak."
2. The Role of Play Therapy in Non-Verbal Communication Training
🔹 What is Play Therapy?
Play therapy involves structured or free play under the guidance of a therapist. It provides a safe and engaging environment where children can express themselves and develop social connections without relying solely on words.
🔹 Why is it Effective?
✅ Encourages long-term relationships with a therapist, fostering trust and emotional connection
✅ Helps children recognize and interpret facial expressions, gestures, and emotions
✅ Supports social interaction development in a natural, pressure-free setting
📌 "Through structured play, children can develop non-verbal communication skills in a natural and enjoyable way."
3. Building Trust Beyond Family Relationships
One key aspect of non-verbal communication training, particularly in play therapy, is that it provides children with consistent interactions with a non-family member.
In today’s world, it’s rare for children to have long-term, trust-based relationships with adults outside of their families.
For ASD children, who struggle with forming relationships and trusting others, having a stable relationship with a therapist can significantly contribute to their ability to form meaningful social connections.
📌 "Long-term therapeutic relationships help children develop fundamental trust and social skills."
4. Long-Term Progress in Non-Verbal Understanding
Children with ASD often struggle with interpreting non-verbal cues, but through continuous training, they can gradually improve.
By adolescence or adulthood, many ASD individuals reach a level where they can manage daily communication effectively, even if their way of interpreting social cues differs from neurotypical individuals.
✅ Early intervention and consistent training are key to long-term success
✅ Understanding facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language can improve with structured exposure
✅ Many ASD individuals develop adaptive strategies that allow them to function well in social and work settings
📌 "Continuous training leads to improvement, even if the learning process takes time."
5. Who Can Benefit from Non-Verbal Communication Training?
✅ Children with ASD or social communication difficulties
✅ Those who struggle with recognizing non-verbal cues
✅ Children who find verbal communication stressful or overwhelming
✅ Parents looking for alternative therapies beyond traditional speech training
📌 "Even if verbal communication is difficult, there are ways to improve social interaction!"
6. Summary: The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication Training
💡 Communication is not just about words—non-verbal skills are equally important
💡 Play therapy helps develop social interactions in a safe, structured way
💡 Long-term relationships with therapists contribute to building trust and social confidence
💡 Many ASD individuals develop effective communication strategies over time
💡 Consistent training and persistence lead to significant improvements
📌 "If you’re interested in non-verbal communication training for your child, don’t hesitate to consult with us!"
Our clinic provides specialized therapy programs tailored to the needs of children with ASD. If you have any concerns about your child’s communication skills, feel free to reach out to us.