Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of difficult-to-treat social and mental afflictions. Due to the lack of established treatments for ASD, alternative therapies have been the main form of intervention. One of these alternatives is animal-assisted therapy, a field that has seen growing interest and has recently accumulated studies investigating its effectiveness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Most research on ASD and animal-assisted therapy has looked at children and has primarily used dogs and horses for therapy. Studies have demonstrated positive effects of therapy, including high rates of satisfaction among participants' families. In recent decades, there has been growing interest, as well as research, in the health benefits of pet ownership, pet visits (such as in a hospital or nursing home), and animal-assisted therapy. animals (TAA). Investigations of the potential benefits have focused on a variety of groups, from Alzheimer's patients to children recovering from surgery. More recently, some researchers have turned their attention to animal-assisted therapy for children on the autism spectrum, as well as the use of health care services. dogs with these children. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience rejection and victimization from their peers, which may result in social isolation, anxiety, and challenging behaviors at home (O'Haire, McKenzie, McCune, & Slaughter, 2014). Over time, these experiences may impact the child's physical and mental health (O'Haire et al., 2014). Based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), ASD is characterized by a persistent deterioration in social relationships. limited and repetitive functioning and behavior patterns (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These symptoms are present from early childhood and can potentially impair daily functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Animal-assisted intervention is a term used to encompass both animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities. While animal-assisted therapy refers to an interventional strategy that involves an animal, is goal-directed, and is facilitated by a trained professional, animal-assisted activities are activities with animals that create opportunities for educational, recreational, or therapeutic benefits without be goal directed or facilitated by a professional (O'Haire et al., 2014). According to the social support theory of human-animal interaction, animals have the ability to enhance social support because they act as a source of comfort and facilitate social interactions (McNicholas & Collis, 2006). Furthermore, attachment theory in human-animal interaction suggests that animals can act as a source of comfort and security for children, which may alleviate distress and reduce problem behaviors (Kruger & Serpell, 2006). While these theoretical foundations have led researchers to theorize that animals offer a unique outlet for social engagement (O'Haire, 2013), others have argued that social aversion among individuals with ASD may be specific to the human species and may not extend to animals (Johnson, 2003). Improving the quality of life of autistic children or adults through animal-assisted therapy. Individuals with ASD often suffer from difficulty concentrating,responding to sensory stimuli and communicating with others, which have been shown to improve after the use of pet therapy. Numerous studies support the concept that animals can be particularly effective with children with ASD. For example, research has shown that these children tend to prefer images of animals to those of humans and are less responsive to the sound of the human voice as opposed to other stimuli. Introducing a dog to children with ASD can result in reduced stress, anxiety and irritation and can also promote a more relaxed environment for those children. Caitlin Siewertsen; Emma French; Masaru Teramoto, Ph.D., MPH AND is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a diagnosis based on repetitive stereotyped behaviors and impaired abilities in communication and social interaction. The latter may be presented by difficulties in establishing and sustaining relationships, lack of eye contact, and deficiencies in social reciprocity and theory of mind. ASD symptoms can sometimes be socially disruptive, and the general public has limited knowledge or understanding of ASD. Research using US longitudinal data has shown that young adults with ASD are significantly more prone to social isolation than young adults with other intellectual, emotional, or behavioral disabilities, with negative implications for their quality of life. Working with animals can have some really positive benefits for an individual with ASD e.g.: Promote positive emotions and improve mood. Support the development or expression of empathic skills. Increase confidence. Relieve anxiety. Reduce associated feelings. to loneliness, insecurity, sadness, social isolation and anger. Improves communication. Teaches boundaries and respect for one's private space. Helps improve sociability. skills. Teaches you to have greater control over impulses and emotions. Helps develop trust not only with animals but also with humans. How it is done Typically the animals used for therapy are horses also known as equine-assisted therapy, dogs also known as dog-assisted therapy and sometimes dolphins are also used, also known as dolphin-assisted therapy. In a typical session, the therapist works with a person with ASD on how to appropriately engage the horse or dog in a positive interaction. For example with a horse, a child can lead the horse around in an enclosed space without using physical contact. In this way the child must learn to communicate appropriately with the horse. During the sessions, the horses or dogs essentially teach the recovering person how to handle them. This type of interaction is a gentle way to teach your child with ASD to communicate more sensitively. Furthermore, improving communication paves the way for building trust. Communication is the foundation of trust; While this simple thing may not be so obvious after a few sessions, animal-assisted therapy can have long-term benefits for children with ASD, which include the development of social skills and the relationship between the therapist and therapy animals can also Model a healthy relationship. Uyemura, B. (December 16, 2011). “The Truth About Animal-Assisted Therapy.” Psychological center. Accessed 7 December 2015. Research behind the intervention Research presented by the Interactive Autism Network (IAN) on animal-assisted therapies (AAT) Of the more than 8,000 families participating in the IAN research project who reported on treatments, 514 (or approximately 6%) reported using animal-assisted therapy or AAT. Some tried more than one, so they were sentinformation on 568 AAT. Of all TAAs, therapeutic riding, also known as equine therapy or hippotherapy, was the most frequently used, with 349 children participating. Furthermore, 168 families used "animal" or "pet" therapy. Only 51 used canine therapy or a guide dog, although it is likely that some "therapy dog" families listed their treatment under "animal" or "pet" therapy. None reported using dolphin therapy. Families shared experiences involving all kinds of child-animal bonds and interactions. For example, some children have been involved in programs where a dog was made available to children in a school or therapeutic setting in their homes and lives, hoping that regular interaction with a loving pet would help their child. Dogs were mentioned most often, but so were snakes, rabbits, and cats. One mother described her son's bond with the family felines and his empathy for them: "Mark cares for and worries about the kittens. He loves interacting with them and will sing to them to help them 'feel safe.' She gives us a glimpse of what she feels by telling us when she thinks the kittens are scared or nervous. "Many families were thrilled with the horse therapy, saying it was a wonderful experience for their child on the autism spectrum. “This is the therapy where I saw the most improvement with Suzie,” one mother said. "She seems to enjoy riding a horse because it not only feels good on a sensory level, but it creates a sense of competence and confidence. For the past two months, she has been able to ride the horse herself and trot (without complaining, which is new for her ) in a 2-point position. “There were also stories of disappointment. Some families have found that their children were indifferent to an animal they tried to introduce and that the hoped-for bond did not form. One mother said: "At a very young age Adam was fascinated by water. At the time we weighed 3 kilos. It only took him once to go to a pond to throw a stone in it and I had to run to all three ponds to find it ... I decided to buy a Labrador and train him myself to find all the children when they asked me to. The dog has been very successful in this job but, due to the lack of response from my son, he would prefer not to find him. She was very willing to find any other child except the one I wanted her to find. “A fairly small number of families reported having a guide dog. These specially trained animals were in the home as a constant presence, like a pet, but they were also able to perform functions that no untrained dog could perform. They explained how the dog's presence often smoothed the path socially, giving people an excuse to approach and interact and also giving them the idea that the child might have problems. (Parents of children with ASD often comment that people cast judgmental glances, thinking their children are "bratty" rather than disabled because they appear physically normal.) One grateful mother explained the many ways in which she felt their dog's service had helped her son: “When we have the dog and Sean has a bond, we don't experience self-injurious or self-injurious behavior. Sean is quite enthusiastic about taking his dog to the store or to the movies. He naturally answers questions about his dog and this helps him too with eye contact and limits repetitive body movements... At home, when Sean has difficulty, the dog applies deep pressure by lying down or leaning on Sean." IAN research results: therapies?.