New South Wales, Australia — A new type of therapy for children with autism is now rapidly gaining popularity— one in which the greatest difficulties children on the spectrum face on a daily basis is being addressed without difficulty.
Assistance Dogs Australia provides a type of therapy that’s much harder to accomplish using human intervention alone— a type of therapy wherein four-legged furry friends provide comfort and emotional support for children with autism.
Through its PAWS program, Assistance Dogs Australia provides intensive training for the would-be therapy dogs, wherein puppies as young as eight months old are continually being prepared for their life-changing roles to their future owners.
One benefactor of the program is 11-year-old Jason Freeman, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s at a very young age. His mother, Tanya, says that Jason’s life had a complete turn around when his therapy dog, Brock, was brought into his life. She told:
“If Jason comes home from school and he is a bit anxious or everything feels a bit too much for him, Brock will be right there with him.
“He puts his paw up on his legs and just makes him feel like everything is alright.”
Numerous studies have long said that therapy animals can impact the lives of children with autism in numerous and tremendous ways. According to Assistance Dogs Australia CEO Richard Lord:
“There have been extensive studies that show if an autistic child has an emotional connection with an animal they will become more independent, their self-esteem can improve, their communication skills advance and they become more self-reliant.”
Assistance Dogs Australia aims to continue providing life-changing therapy dogs to children with ASD with the support of generous individuals and communities that extend help to the organization, which, for now, relies heavily on donations.
New York — These days, more and more children with autism are benefiting from the company of their highly-trained service dogs. It has been proven many times over that service dogs are capable of making positive impacts on children with autism, especially when it comes to socialization.
Now it appears that cats can also have the same effect to kids on the spectrum.
Several studies have concluded that pets can have a significant impact on children with autism, especially on the part where they struggle the most— socialization.1
One of these studies is by a team of French researchers, published in 2012 in PLOS One. After conducting a research involving 260 families who care for at least one individual on the spectrum, the researchers concluded that introducing pets to the home of a child with ASD can have profound effects on him. According to the researchers:
“The arrival of a pet in a family has been shown to increase the level of interactions between family members: they spend more time together and share joint attention on the new family member.”
The researchers concluded that introducing pets to children with autism has the best effect if done after the kids turn five years old, where they noted that the social interactions involved in caring for pets have made the kids more sociable. They told:
“Playing with a pet is a complex behavior, sometimes involving object manipulation as a means for practice and mastery of action schemas (i.e. sensorimotor play) or a child’s ability for mental representation.”
This therefore means that the child has a way in which to practice and act out those events which are happening in their life.
In 2013, another study published in the same journal supported these findings after observing 99 children who were given time to spend with guinea pigs, and then with toys. The authors wrote:
“Participants with ASD demonstrated more social approach behaviors (including talking, looking at faces, and making tactile contact) and received more social approaches from their peers in the presence of animals compared to toys.”
Just recently, scientists published a similar study in the April issue of Development Psychobiology, wherein they found that children with ASD were more stressed in classroom settings, except during the times that they were given the chance to play with guinea pigs.
In all these studies, the pets involved acted as “social buffers” for the children with ASD, helping them overcome social challenges in one way or another.
The same is true in the case of Richard Manerling, a man with autism who was once incapable of communicating verbally. In an article published on Cats.About.Com, his father recalled when his then four-year-old son who was preverbal spotted their now much loved Cat, Clover.:
“From day one, we heard Richard having conversations with Clover when no one was looking. He had language. He needed someone with the patience to listen and who did not ask him to repeat himself or explain what he meant. Clover had all those qualities.”
Richard continued to share his world with cats long after Clover has passed. Sharing how the felines changed his life, he told his father:
“Cats are like me.”
“They look at everything and think about it when everyone thinks they’re not paying attention and they only talk when they have something to say.”
On the other hand, Iris Grace Halmshaw, a five-year-old with autism who is mostly non-verbal, started expressing herself through paintings once introduced to a cat who would later on become her art assistant, Thula. Autism Daily Newscast had the great pleasure of interviewing Iris’ mother, Arabella Carter Johnson, back in September 2014: Iris Grace Painting – an inspiring 4 year old little girl who paints.
In an email to Medical Daily, Ms Carter Johnson told:
“She helps Iris through the many challenges she faces on a daily basis.”
Although it’s known that pets can ease the pressure of the social problems that children on the spectrum deal with, Medical Daily stresses that pets “shouldn’t be seen as a wonder treatment.” Pets are indeed helpful to children with ASD, but they should not be considered as alternative to the already existing evidence-based treatments prescribed my doctors. As told perfectly by Mrs. Carter Johnson:
“Obviously not all cats are like this and maybe Thula’s incredibly special — she certainly is to us — but I don’t believe she will be the only one.”
Many parents of individuals on the autism spectrum wonder about the potential benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Most people believe that animals have a calming effect. According to the American Pets Products Association, in the US alone, 83.3 million people own dogs and 95.6 million people own cats. In homes for the elderly owning a dog or a cat is often encouraged as research shows that elderly people who owns animal report being happier.
It seems that the effects of animals on individuals with autism are positive as well. Animal-assisted therapy program for individuals with autism involve animals as varied as alpacas, horses, dolphins and dogs.
All of these programs have certain elements in common. Each program emphasizes that therapeutic programs based on interaction with animals help children with autism learn to trust, de-stress, decrease inappropriate behavior, care for another living creature, step out of their comfort zone to try something new and communicate.
Some of the animal-assisted therapy programs available offer an additional, vocational component. Alpacas for Autism in Missouri, USA, for example, offers instructional workshops in fiber arts. Staff at the association help adults with autism sell the woven goods they make from Alpaca fur at the association’s ranch. This provides an added bonus for adults with autism ; a career and a viable source of income. The association offers marketing and sales services for the products made on their alpaca ranch.
One grandmother who spoke with Autism Daily Newscast and wishes to remain anonymous, smiles as she explains that her granddaughter who has autism treasures her therapy dog, a golden retriever named Wiggles.
« Wiggles goes everywhere with Katy. He accompanies her to school, lies next to her on the floor during her therapies, even goes to the doctor with her. When Katy is stressed out and having a crisis, Wiggles helps to soothe her by putting his head in her lap. Therapy dogs are amazingly sensitive and beautifully trained creatures. »
Another Animal-assisted therapy is Dolphin Therapy, which is meant to be relaxing and fun for the child. It is presented in several stages. One dad who spoke with Autism Daily Newscast and also wishes to remain anonymous, explained that his son with autism« loved making contact with the dolphins » when his family traveled to Israel from France for the Dolphin Therapy experience. He is aware that not enough studies have been done during Dolphin Therapy to explain its effects scientifically but noticed that his
« son was calmer for days after the therapy than he normally is and expressed himself a lot vocally when he was in the water with the dolphins ».
Many families will attest to the therapeutic benefits of having animals for their children on the autism spectrum. Families have explained how dogs, cats, dolphins, alpacas, and fish-filled aquariums have positively impacted their children’s communication, social and independent living skills.
Keeping chickens and a chicken coop are now also being praised as therapeutic for children on the autism spectrum. Families who keep chickens are getting their children with autism involved in feeding and caring for the chickens which promotes self-help and independent living skills. The chickens serve as a conversation starter for children who are shy and limited socially, thereby helping to improve their social skills with peers and adults. The children feel safe and open around the chickens and are able to play with them, while playing with other children is often difficult. This increases the child’s play skills.
Children on the autism spectrum can also use behavioral methods to teach the chicken to do various tricks such as pecking a particular area to request food or engage in a variety of behaviors (turning, walking, going left or right) before getting fed with guidance from their parents. This gives the child the feeling of being a leader, whereas children on the autism spectrum are often in a « follower’s » ro1le ; having to follow directions at school and at home.
Having chickens can also increase the verbal communication of children with autism. Parents and educators working with the children can create activities around the vocabulary words associated with the children’s chickens and use these items to prompt the child to mand (request), tact (label), receptively identify (such as « show me the chicken food ! ») and echo (repeat) various vocabulary words.
As reported by Autism Daily Newscast, the Hart family became well-known at the end of 2013 for their fight to keep their son JJ’s therapy chickens whom he affectionately refers to as his « ducks ». Ashleigh Hart, JJ’s mom shares,
« JJ’s chickens really helped him come out of his shell ! He is physically active and social. The chickens helped give JJ something to look forward to. They love him with no conditions and in turn, he loves them. When he comes home from school, he goes out, he sees his chickens, gives them treats and plays with them and is content.
« They have helped him physically, mentally, socially and even in terms of his diet (he eats the hens’ eggs). The chickens encouraged him to speak. He started making sounds and mimicking them when he was younger. »
Animal-assisted therapy: is it undervalued as an alternative treatment?
"A pet is an island of sanity in what appears to be an insane world. Friendship retains its traditional values and securities in one's relationship with one's pet. Whether a dog, cat, bird, fish, turtle, or what have you, one can rely upon the fact that one's pet will always remain a faithful, intimate, non-competitive friend, regardless of the good or ill fortune life brings us."
If you are an animal lover, you will fully relate to this quote from American child psychologist Dr. Boris Levinson. And it seems the majority of us are. As of 2012, 62% of American households included at least one pet.
There is no doubt that humans have a strong bond with animals, and it is this bond that led to the introduction of animal-assisted therapy (AAT), or pet therapy - the idea that animals can help humans cope with or recover from certain medical conditions.
In fact, it was Dr. Levinson who first came up with the idea of AAT in the 1960s, after finding that he was better able to reach a withdrawn 9-year-old boy every time his dog - called Jingles - was in the room with him. With Jingles present - who Dr. Levinson deemed his "co-therapist" - he found he was able to gain the trust of the boy, something that past therapists had failed to do.
In 1961, Dr. Levinson presented the idea of AAT to the American Psychological Association (APA). At the time, the theory was met with cynicism. But a survey conducted by Dr. Levinson 10 years later found that of 319 psychologists, 16% used companion animals in their therapy sessions, indicating that people were warming to the idea of AAT.
Today, AAT is more popular than ever. A 2011 report from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Health Center for Health Statistics revealed that almost 60% of hospice care providers that provide complementary and alternative therapies offer pet therapy to patients.
What is AAT?
AAT is an intervention that uses animal interaction to aid recovery from health problems or to help people cope with certain medical conditions.
The therapy is believed to have an array of benefits, including personal and social development, increased self-esteem, improved mental health, better social skills and increased empathy and nurturing skills.
AAT is believed to assist personal and social development, increase self-esteem, improve mental health, boost social skills and increase empathy and nurturing skills.
Study co-author Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, associate professor of social work at Ohio State, said of the findings:
"We wanted to test whether people with dementia could have positive interactions with horses, and we found that they can - absolutely. The experience immediately lifted their mood, and we saw a connection to fewer incidents of negative behavior."
Individuals with physical disabilities may also benefit from AAT. Equine therapy, which can also involve horse riding, has been shown to improve patients' strength, flexibility and balance.
AAT is not just limited to interaction with cats, dogs and horses; it can include everything from hedgehogs, rabbits and skunks, to snakes and even spiders. Critterish Allsorts - an AAT practice based in the UK - use a tarantula called Fluffy as a therapy for individuals with autism.
In the past, concerns have been raised regarding the safety and sanitation of AAT, particularly if such therapy is conducted in hospitals. However, rules are put in place to ensure animals are well trained, clean and vaccinated. To date, the CDC have received no reports of infection through AAT.
How does AAT work?
In general, the benefits of AAT stem from the interaction with animals. Some forms of AAT, such as equine therapy, involve caring for animals on a regular basis. For example, equine therapy may require individuals to feed, groom and bathe horses once or twice a week.
Speaking of how equine therapy helps Alzheimer's patients, Dabelko-Schoeny toldMedical News Today:
"The exposure to the animals may result in higher levels of engagement and fewer problematic behaviors, which may make caring for the person with the disease easier.
In addition, AAT 'opens the world up' for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. It is not uncommon for persons with dementia to have their world shrink down to just addressing basic human needs, and having relationships with animals can provide them with stimulation and something to think about and talk about with others."
Other forms of AAT may include an animal being brought to a care facility for patient interaction. For example, Pet Partners - a non-profit organization in the US that provides AAT - has a volunteer who brings a cat to a rehabilitation center to work with an occupational therapist and a child who has problems with movement. The occupational therapist asks the child to handle the cat's collar, or open a tin of treats and feed the cat - activities that help improve the child's motor skills.
"Animal-assisted activities can provide much needed motivation, education or recreation to enhance a person's quality of life," Mary Craig, CEO of the Pet Partners board and a veterinarian, told Medical News Today.
Should there be more focus on the use of AAT?
But Craig notes an important point:
"It's easy for our volunteers involved in animal assisted activities to see and understand the benefits to animal-assisted activities. But the magic that happens in these interactions is difficult to quantify and 'prove.' The benefits realized are often unique to the individuals involved in the personal exchanges."
Because of this, many experts in the AAT field believe the therapy is undervalued and that there should be more research conducted to expose its benefits.
"There is a growing body of research, but much of it is still qualitative, not quantitative," Chris Patella, of Animal Assisted Therapy Services - a US organization that specializes in equine and canine therapy - told us.
"We need hard numeric data to convince insurance companies and legislatures that AAT should be covered like any other medical intervention."
In addition, Patella said he believed that doctors should be recommending AAT as an alternative treatment for patients with both physical and mental health conditions.
"However," he added, "doctors are rooted in Western medicine that promotes medication. They, too, are looking for the solid research that proves AAT is a viable intervention. Research is the key."
Could AAT replace drug treatment?
This brings us to the question of whether AAT could replace or reduce the use of drug treatment for certain health conditions.
A 2009 study from Loyola University in Chicago, IL, found that adults who used AAT - in the form of canine therapy - while recovering from total joint-replacement surgery required 50% less pain medication.
Dr. Edward Creagan, an oncologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, is one health professional who feels very strongly about the health benefits of pets, to the extent that he notes the name of a patient's pet when he takes their medical history.
"A pet is a medication without side effects that has so many benefits," he says. "I can't always explain it myself, but for years now I've seen how instances of having a pet is like an effective drug. It really does help people."
Dr. Creagan talks more about his belief in the health benefits of animals in the video below:
But Dabelko-Schoeny told us that when it comes to certain conditions, such as Alzheimer's, AAT is unlikely to replace the use of medication - though it may be useful accompaniment:
"The question is, do we have sufficient evidence to warrant financial reimbursement for such services? Will animal-assisted therapy lead to longer life or reduced emergency department visits and rehospitalizations? Probably not. But animal assisted therapy may increase patients' quality of life."
New South Wales, Australia — A new type of therapy for children with autism is now rapidly gaining popularity— one in which the greatest difficulties children on the spectrum face on a daily basis is being addressed without difficulty.
Numerous studies have long said that therapy animals can impact the lives of children with autism in numerous and tremendous ways. According to Assistance Dogs Australia CEO Richard Lord:
