In 2017, Dogs for Good will support 1,000 people with autism including training assistance dogs for autistic children; in our Family Dog service, by providing workshops, training and support to families with a child with autism to help them leverage support from their pet dog, and through our community dog work where we’re helping adults with autism to achieve goals and increase confidence.
Many children and adults with autism spectrum condition (ASC) have a special bond with dogs. Through our experience of training dogs for autistic children we’ve seen the amazing difference dogs can make.
Research from the University of Lincoln found that children with autism experience fewer meltdowns in the presence of a pet dog and their parents stress levels are significantly lowered, but we also see that dogs can make a difference to confidence levels, help reduce anxiety, improve communication and help families do more together.
Therapy Dogs for the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder
According to Francesca Cirulli, a senior researcher at the National Institute of Health, Italy, many studies show that dogs work as social catalysts by encouraging people to bond with each other. A few studies have found this notion true in terms of kids with autism.
A review published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine has shown evidence that therapy dogs can play a crucial role in helping autistic patients develop communication and social skills. The team reviewed six published studies that covered the effects of dogs on children with autism. Out of the six studies, four were on therapy dogs that assisted therapists during the treatment sessions. The was found that autistic children were more vocal and engaged in the sessions when dogs were around.
Another study that reviewed the behavior of 22 autistic children revealed that children were more engaged and talkative during sessions where dogs were present. A separate study showed that children who had therapy dogs during the session were less aggressive and more friendly.
You see, therapy dogs can assist autistic children by making them feel socially and emotionally secure. These trained furry friends can help in improving the emotional wellbeing of the child and further aid in developing their sensory integration.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?
âExplaining autism to someone who is neurotypical [people who donât have autism] is much like explaining color to a person who is color-blind,â Dr. Bowes explained. âThatâs because autism is a sensory issue, a part of us that doesnât deal with language. Instead, it deals with feelings. Making matters worse, itâs stronger than language and words. Fortunately, this is precisely the cognitive function that dogs lead with and that makes them such perfect companions of those with autism.â
According to Dr. Bowes, autism affects the bodyâs limbic system and a set of neurons called amygala that live there. For people without autism, the brainâs frontal lobe, which houses logic, words and executive thinking, is dominant. For those on the autism spectrum, the world is a sensory place, as is the case with dogs. For example, before a lightning storm, many dogs express fear and will hide; they are also known to sense earthquakes before the earth trembles. Warning a person of an impending seizure or diabetic sugar imbalance is in their repertoire, and they can sense when people are sad, happy, or afraid, and respond accordingly.
Scientist Temple Grandin, who is autistic, also describes how animals are similar to autistic people, saying âautistic people donât think in language, we think in pictures. During my thinking process I have no words in my head at all, just pictures. So, if you say the word âteapotâ I start to see teapots, like a teapot slide show of teapots. Animals donât think in language; they are visual thinkers too. When you think in pictures, it has to be specific in order to form concepts.âRelated article
Harvard scientists confirm the myriad physical and psychological benefits of pet parenthood.
¿Can DOGS have AUTISM? Discover It
Autism Service Dogs and Sensory Processing Disorder Dogs change the lives of the families they work for. Like all Service Dog teams, every Autism Dog team is unique, since everyone has differing needs. However, some tasks occur more frequently than others. Learn more about some of the most common Autism Service Dog tasks now.