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。

词汇表

critical 至关重要
brain development 大脑发育
social skills 社交技能
diagnosis 诊断
autism spectrum disorder 自闭症谱系障碍
cured 被治愈
lessened 减轻，缓解

阅读理解：请在读完上文后，回答下列问题。

1. How were parents given advice on how to interact with their babies?

2. What had improved in the babies by the time they were three years old?

3. True or false? The charity Austica says autistic babies should get support once a diagnosis is given.

4. According to the report, what part of a baby’s life is critical for brain development?

答案  

1. How were parents given advice on how to interact with their babies?
Parents were given video-based tips on how best to interact with their babies according to their particular needs.

2. What had improved in the babies by the time they were three years old?
By the age of three, their social skills had improved.

3. True or false? The charity Austica says autistic babies should get support once a diagnosis is given.
False. The research charity Autistica said people should not have to wait for a diagnosis for support to be provided.

4. According to the report, what part of a baby’s life is critical for brain development?
The first two years of a baby’s life are critical for brain development.