Is a Therapy Dog Right for Your Child with Autism?
posted: Tuesday, July 7, 2020 | CATEGORIES: autism therapy dog
uest Blog by Barry Shechter of Dogdigz.com Autism or autism spectrum disorder is a set of conditions with symptoms such as repetitive behaviors, challenges in communication and social skills, sleep disorders, and sensory sensitivities. For many children, the signs of autism begin to become apparent by the age of two or three. Sometimes autism developmental delays may lead to an even earlier diagnosis. There are varying degrees of autism, and while there is no cure, there are many therapies, tools, and interventions that may be helpful. One option families explore is bringing an autism therapy dog into their family. While there can be benefits, a therapy dog may not be the right fit for every child or family. What is a Therapy Dog?Sometimes “therapy dog” is used as a blanket term, but there are differences between service dogs and therapy dogs. There is also a third category to be aware of, which is a companion dog. Therapy DogsA therapy dog is trained to provide comfort in a therapeutic context. Settings you may see therapy dogs include nursing homes, health care, and mental health facilities, and hospitals. Sometimes a therapy dog can help a patient overcome a stressful or traumatic procedure, or they might help with occupational or physical therapy. Outside of medical settings or an institutional environment, a therapy dog is an option for people with autism because they can help encourage social interaction as well as being calming. A lot of therapy dogs have specialized training, but not all. Certain agencies are accredited to connect people with therapy dogs, such as the Assistance Dogs International organization. Therapy dogs don’t have federally-mandated access to public places, and if you opt for a therapy dog for your child it’s important that you take the time to find the right match not only for your child but for your family. If you work with a specialized agency they can help you do this. When a family does decide to bring in a therapy dog, it can take up to two years to go through the process which often includes home visits and specialized training. Companion DogsA companion dog is a specially trained pet that can be calming for someone with autism. These dogs are meant to help provide not just a sense of comfort, but they can also help a child with autism get more social interaction and learn the responsibilities that come with caring for the dog. Companion dogs are often golden retrievers, Labradors and Labradoodles because these breeds tend to be very calm and intelligent. If you adopt a companion dog from a rescue setting, you have to be cautious about the dog’s history. It’s important to learn more about a dog’s history before bringing it into your home to reduce the likelihood of a bad reaction when the dog feels scared or threatened. Service DogsService dogs are in a separate category because these dogs receive special training and certification. They help someone with disabilities perform functions in their daily life. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a person can legally bring their service dog in all public spaces, including restaurants. Service dogs usually wear a vest or another form of identification, so it’s apparent they are working and shouldn’t be disturbed. A service dog is uniquely trained to meet the needs of the person it will be helping. An autism service dog might help a child with anxiety when they go to school or in public, for example. There are even service dogs that can interrupt self-harming behaviors or serious emotional situations like panic attacks. A service dog that’s not properly trained can be dangerous, so when a family is considering a service dog, they should only work with an accredited agency. What Type of Dog Is Needed in Specific Circumstances?The following are example situations and the type of dog that would be right for each.
How Can a Therapy Dog Help a Child with Autism?Trained dogs may have therapeutic benefits for children with autism, according to research. For example, one study of 22 children found that when a dog was present in a therapy session, the children were more socially engaged and talked more. In another study, when there was a dog included in a therapy session, children were less aggressive and smiled more. In two other studies recently received by researchers, parents said their children with autism tended to behave better and be more attentive after they got a service dog. Specific ways a therapy dog might help a child with autism include:
Is a Therapy Dog Right for Your Child?While there are many possible benefits of bringing a dog into your home, it’s not the right option for every family. Considerations to keep in mind include:
When choosing a dog for your child with autism, the following are important factors:
Organizations That Can HelpIf you’d like to explore the options for your family to find a dog, the following organizations can help:
Summing UpA support or service dog might be a good part of your autistic child’s daily life and can be therapeutic for them. Before you commit to bringing a dog into your family, think about your child’s individual needs and what role a dog will play in those. You should also make sure your family is ready for the significant responsibility of a new dog. Our Services are available in the following areas:
San Diego (North)
San Diego (Central)
East County
South Bay
Temecula Region
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