 News
25th July 2007
Thomas the Tank Engine helps autistic children
Thomas the Tank Engine has been found to help the learning process in
autistic children.
The familiar round face with its expressive large eyes is helping these
children to distinguish between different emotions, according to the National
Autistic Society.
Autistic children often have difficulty reading people's faces, but in
a survey by the Society, parents said the combination of clear facial
expressions and simple stories have helped their children make remarkable
progress.
Thomas and his various friends have also helped youngsters learn about
colours, numbers and words.
The little blue engine was invented by the Reverand W Awdry to entertain
his sick son. Since then there have been hundreds of books, TV programmes
and films which have all helped to put Thomas as the favourite toy in
a poll of 750 parents of autistic children.
The poll also found that autistic children liked the character for two
years longer than their siblings without the condition.
Benet Middleton, of the National Autistic Society, said, "Parents feel
that Thomas has played a pivotal role in the early learning of many children
who have autism partly due to the clear facial expressions and simple
story lines."
Former James Bond Pierce Brosnan is set to take over the role as narrator
from ex-Beatle Ringo Starr.
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