The Benefits of Dogs for Children With Autism

The benefits of dogs in various human therapies has been the subject of many studies over the years.  People now understand that a dog is more than man’s best friend; it may be man’s best therapist too. But how do these furry friends help children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)?

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A Dog Shifts Their Focus

Many autistic children report feeling like they are trapped inside of their own mind. Dogs can grab the child’s attention and help bring their focus onto something tactile, outside of their head. Pets have been shown to improve children’s focus and even distract their attention from negative behavior.

Close Companionship

The constant companionship of a specially trained dog offers a calming focus for a child with autism. Dogs help autistic children with visits to the dentist, overcoming anxieties about events like starting school or a new activity. Parents will notice the close bond between the dog and their autistic child. The dog becomes a comfort to all family members and adds a joyful element to a household. 

Children with autism sometimes become attached to a stuffed animal which provides them with comfort. A living companion animal provides so much more because it can be sensitive to subtle changes in the child’s emotions and react accordingly. The animal’s response often provides a sense of protection or comfort. Numerous children on the Autistic Spectrum have sensory issues. Those who are sensory seeking derive great comfort from the tactile experience of petting a dog. Conversely, those who are tactile averse, are sometimes able to overcome their sensitivity by ongoing exposure to a pet.

Think about when you are feeling down and you stroke a dog. You just feel comforted and understood in a simple, nonverbal way. Animals really can sense a lot of your emotions.

The Child Will Learn Responsibility

Some autistic children battle to learn how to do the basic day-to-day activities that are needed for successful living. Looking after a pet will help the child learn the daily responsibilities of pet ownership; the therapy dog needs food, water, grooming, exercise, and more. A family pet can also help teach children valuable life skills, including responsibility, trust, compassion, respect, and patience.

Is A Dog Right For Your Family?

There are, however, various downsides to dog ownership and it must be remembered that every child’s experience with autism is unique. Dog ownership is not a magic potion.

While some parents see the chance to instill responsibility in their children through dog ownership, others see a burden. The expense and effort it takes to care for a dog is too much for some parents and their families to handle.

Sensory issues, especially sensitivity to sound and touch, sometimes outweighed the emotional benefits of dog ownership. Some parents whose families did not own dogs reported that dogs could be too loud for their children, or that their children did not like the feeling of the fur on certain dog breeds.

A dog that is well-trained and has the right temperament could have therapeutic value to most autistic children. The exception is an autistic child who is aggressive or violent. IN these cases, pet ownership should be avoided until these behaviors are corrected.

It has been documented that children with autism do not experience as many meltdowns in the presence of their pet dog. This leads to parents’ stress levels being lowered. These dogs make a difference to the autistic child’s confidence levels and help reduce anxiety.  That human animal bond might be the best thing for your child with autism.

When human interactions are challenging, the enthusiastic wag of your dog’s tail can be the calming and reassuring mental health benefit your child needs.

To find out more about the benefits of dogs for your autistic child, reach out to the Autism Center for Kids.