早期婴儿治疗可减少自闭症确诊人数

一项小型研究发现，培训家长如何对出现自闭症早期症状的婴儿作出反应，可以将三岁儿童中被确诊患有自闭症的数量减少三分之二。

The first two years of a baby's life are critical for brain development. In this study, parents were given video-based tips on how best to interact with their babies according to their particular needs.

婴儿出生后的头两年对其大脑发育至关重要。在这项研究中，家长们得到了视频提示，告诉他们如何根据婴儿的特殊需要，以最适当的方式与孩子互动。

By the age of three, the baby still had some developmental difficulties, but their social skills had improved, and two thirds fewer met the criteria for a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, compared to babies who received standard care.

到三岁时，婴儿仍有一些发育困难，但社交技能已有所提升，与接受了普通标准护理的婴儿相比，符合自闭症谱系障碍标准的婴儿数量减少了三分之二。

The research charity Autistica said the study was promising and people should not have to wait for a diagnosis for support to be provided. But the National Autistic Society said autism was not a disease that should be cured or lessened.

慈善研究机构 Autistica 表示，这项研究大有前景，人们不应只能在等到确诊后才有机会获得帮助。但英国国家自闭症协会指出，自闭症并非一种需要被治愈或缓解的疾病。

The research team says longer term studies on more babies using the technique are now needed.

这支研究团队认为，现在需要进行更长期的研究，观察更多接受该护理方法的婴儿。