The Benefits of Animal Therapy for Autism

The Benefits of Animal Therapy for Autism

For those of us who have had pets in our lives, it's no big surprise to learn that interactions with animals can have therapeutic and healing benefits. Many animals soothe, comfort, and soothe themselves simply through their quiet presence. And animals are now being used as a form of autism therapy.

Jennifer Baról, a graduate of the New Mexico Highlands University School of Social Work, led a research project to examine the benefits and effects of animal-assisted therapies on children with autism as a treatment tool.

The study, titled “The Effects of Animal-Assisted Therapy on a Child with Autism,” lasted 15 weeks between July and November 2006. It aimed to find out whether there is evidence that therapies are based on animal therapies. Help could improve an autistic child's social skills.

The results of the study were interesting. For example, prior to animal-assisted therapy, five-year-old participant Zachary had a dramatic communication struggle with an eight-year-old Australian cattle dog named Henry. Zachary was prone to throwing tantrums and covering his ears and eyes when he became frustrated at not being able to be understood. Participating in new activities was stressful for him. He couldn't understand how to play with others and had never uttered a complete sentence.

However, when Zachary met and bonded with Henry, he underwent a virtual transformation. His confidence is much higher and he is willing to experience new activities with obvious curiosity. Additionally, Zachary is able to better understand what is going on around him, including the needs of others. Additionally, halfway through therapy for the research project, Zachary completed his first sentence.

In Zachary's case, animal-assisted therapy opened up a whole new world of experience and understanding. In the clinical reports of the psychiatric hospital there were many reports of autistic children who developed close relationships with individual animals such as dogs or cats. When autistic children play with animals, any violent tendencies they have usually disappear. They take on entirely maternal characteristics and take special care of the animal, including feeding, cleaning up, and interacting with them.

Autistic children's blood pressure is also usually reduced when animal treatment is provided. In addition, this treatment can relieve symptoms such as insomnia and headaches.

The companionship of animals can help reduce lonely feelings in autistic children and promote a basis for healthy character development in them, including personality traits such as respect, trust, participation, commitment, self-confidence and responsibility. Autistic children can also learn decision-making skills, problem-solving skills, and language and social skills through interaction with animals.

This type of therapy can be beneficial both overall and during times of major trials such as puberty - when your child is going through a lot of changes and has a lot of questions and needs greater stress relief.

Inspired by Rachel Evans