Autism Soccer: Animal Therapy: A Helpful Alternative

Having a pet or caring for a therapy animal can soothe and relax most autistic children.

Man’s best friend can become your child’s best friend as well, according to some recent studies about the interaction between pets and autistic children.

Many parents get surprised to see the bonding between their autistic children and animals. You might even see this happening spontaneously (just when you are wondering how to help to improve your child's communication and social skills), you notice that he starts to act with a more playful, happier, and more focused attitude when is around a pet. Or perhaps you have heard about the irrefutable impact animals can have on some children with autism from another parent in the same situation that you are in. Whatever leads you, it may be time to introduce your autistic child to the wonderful world of pets.

What is Animal Therapy and How Can it Benefit Children with ASD?

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a type of therapeutic activity that involves an animal with specific characteristics (being docile and obedient, for example) becoming a fundamental part of a person's treatment. Animal-assisted therapy is designed to improve the physical, social, emotional, and/or cognitive functioning of patients, as well as provide educational and motivational improvements for such patients. AAT can be applied on an individual or group basis. During AAT, therapists document records and evaluate the participant's progress for a better study of their conditions.

Many kinds of animals are used in therapy, such as dogs, cats, elephants, birds, dolphins, rabbits, lizards, and other small animals. AAT with horses is known specifically as equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), equine-assisted creative living (EACL), equine-assisted personal development (EAPD) or hippotherapy.

A recent study supports the theory that interacting with a pet may benefit many children with autism. However, the author emphasizes the need to consider each child’s unique sensitivities as well as family dynamics in carefully considering pet ownership.

Said study, published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing, surveyed parents of children who had autism about the children’s interactions with dogs. Almost two-thirds of the surveyed families owned a dog. Of the former, 94% said their child bonded strongly with the pet. Even in the families without dogs, 7 in 10 parents said their child enjoyed interacting with their pets.

Previous experiments involving children with autism found that those who had a family pet from a young age tended to have better social skills. On the other hand, other research has shown how social behaviors in children who have autism temporarily improve after even a short play period with a live animal such as a guinea pig (versus a toy). And an issue of Autism Speaks Community Grants has actively supported successful equine-therapy programs for children with autism.

What Kinds of Pets Will Work for My Child with ASD?

At some point, your child has asked for a pet, or maybe you feel it’s time for the family to have one, so, here are some useful tips to make this easier and functional for all of you. Autism Soccer cares about you and your families!

• With a few, specific exceptions (Dobermans, for example), big dogs are usually much gentler with children than smaller dogs

• If your child is prone to things like pulling tails, hair, squeezing (this would be youngest children), and other minor aggressions to pets, avoid a young puppy, smaller pets like hamsters (they are nocturnal and get really grumpy when disturbed and may bite the child), young kittens, chinchillas (they lack rib cages and are easy to squeeze to death), and reptiles (children can get salmonella and other illnesses from touching these animals and putting their fingers in their mouths)

• Some good pets to try are older puppies, young dogs, older kittens, guinea pigs (very gentle with children), rabbits (adults), pet rats (very gentle and also intelligent), aquariums (it could be very soothing for some kids)

Here at Autism Soccer, we take into consideration all aspects of a healthy child’s life and make into useful, practical and educating articles for you and your children, so don’t hesitate into writing your comments and questions in the section below, as well as following us on our social networking.