For those of us who have had pets in our lives, it's not a big surprise to learn that interactions with animals can have therapeutic and healing benefits. Many animals soothe, comfort and calm, with only his silent presence. And animals are also used as a form of therapy for autism.
A New Mexico School of Social Work graduate student in the University Highlands named Jennifer Barol conduct a research project to study the benefits and effects of animal-assisted therapy for children with autism when used as a treatment tool.
The study, titled "The effects of animal assisted therapy on a child with autism" ran for 15 weeks between July and November 2006. It is geared towards the objective of discovering whether there is evidence that therapies based on service animals can improve social skills of an autistic child.
Study results were interesting. For example, before undergoing assisted therapy animal with eight Australian Cattle dog named Henry, participant Zachary, who was five years old, had a dramatic struggle to communicate. Zachary was prone to tantrums and covering his ears and his eyes when he became frustrated with his lack of ability to be understood. Participation in new activities was stressful for him. I could not understand how to play with others and never uttered a complete sentence.
However, once Zachary met and joined with Henry, had a virtual transformation. Your confidence level is much higher and you are ready to discover new activities with obvious curiosity. Furthermore, Zachary is better able to understand what is happening around him, including the needs of others. In addition, midway through therapy for the research project, Zachary completed his first sentence.
For Zachary, a new world of experiences and understanding opened by the animal-assisted therapy. In clinical reports of psychiatric hospitals, there have been many cases of children with autism who have built strong relationships with various animals such as dogs or cats. When autistic children play with animals, may have violent tendencies that usually disappear. They have very maternal properties, taking care of the animal, including feeding, cleaning up after them, and interact with them.
Blood pressure in children with autism also often reduced when there is the treatment of animals. In addition, symptoms such as insomnia and headaches can be relieved by medication.
Animal companionship can help reduce the feeling of loneliness in autistic children, promoting the healthy development of basic character inside, and personality traits as respect and trust, contributing, committed, confident Similarly, and responsible. Autistic children may also learn skills of decision making, problem solving skills, and both language and social skills through interactions with animals.
This type of therapy can be beneficial in general and in further study time as puberty - when your child will go through many changes and many questions and will need a great stress reliever.
Grab your free copy of Rachel Evans new Autism Newsletter - Overflowing with easy to implement methods to help you and your family learned pet therapy for autism, as well as information on Autism Service Dogs, visit The Essential Guide to Autism.
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