The Role Pets Play in Helping Autistic Children

Pets have long been a part of man’s social evolution. Advantages of pet rearing became evident as man valued their animal companions more.  It’s been scientifically proven that pets help lower blood pressure and they also encourage people to exercise.  Pets are proven to be unconditional lovers and they do not expect too much from their human companions.  Just recently, experts on autism say that pets promote the well-being of autistic children.

Autism in every child is unique.  One may respond to questions occasionally while another child will completely shut himself from the world.  Autistic children are easily stressed too, and they show it by crying, shouting or social isolation.  Autistic children have insatiable curiosity for the things around them It’s what makes them head off to different directions that they often get lost.  Some children with autism can be trained by their parents on how to act socially, while other kids need 24-hour attention so they will not hurt themselves or simply bolt-off.  But in any case, pets are getting to be a wonderful solution to an autistic child’s symptoms.

Marguerite O’Haire documented her studies about the interaction between pets and autistic children. She said that animals encourage social interaction among autistic children. “Including an animal in children’s playtime of home activities may be an effective way to encourage socialization with other children as well as adults”, O’Haire told the media. In the study conducted to children suffering from autism, O’Haire observed that the kids interacted more with their peers when they’re around animals.  A mixed group of autistic and regular kids were placed in a room with toys and guinea pigs.  The autistic children were able to interact with other children whenever they were near the guinea pigs. The kids with autism didn’t get stressed as much.

A charity group called “Autism Support Dogs” based in Canada details its experience with using canines as therapy tools for autism. The group provides trained dogs to families that have an autistic member.  Parents said that the support dogs have improved the quality of life for their children and the whole family. The family feels that the child is safer with the pet dog around and the child is less likely to bolt off.  The autistic child also gets comforted easily by the presence of a pet. Parents also get their autistic child take on some responsibilities by directing the command to the dog. The autistic child also displayed positive behavioural changes since having a pet dog.

Here are some Australian organisations that can help you with an Autistic child and a pet.

Assitance Dogs Australia

Look at their  PAWS (Parents Autism Workshops and Support) They run workshops around Australia.

http://www.assistancedogs.org.au/pages/paws-program.html

Also

Righteous Pups Australia - Head Office is in Victoria

http://www.righteouspups.org.au/

Also

Guides Dogs South Australia and Northern Territory

https://www.guidedogs.org.au/autism-assistance-dogs