Dogs may be able to increase concentration and socialization in children with asd

1. Dogs May Be Able to Increase Concentration and Socialization in Children with
ASD
Therapy Sessions Incorporating Dogs Have Seen Great
Success (photo: allaboutautismbni.com)
A recent study has shown that autistic children who take part in therapies involving animals, particularly dogs, tend to be more relaxed and have a better ability
to concentrate. Furthermore, introducing children to dogs can potentially improve a child’s socialization and ability to express themselves.
Researchers at Green Chimneys in Brewster, NY, have analyzed how the use of various animals can play therapeutic roles for individuals with autism, as well as
those with other disabilities or disorders. At the Sam and Myra Ross Institute at Green Chimneys, researchers have looked at how groups of autistic children react
when certi!ed therapy dogs are incorporated into their therapy sessions. According to the researchers, animals, particularly many breeds of dogs, can serve as a
bridge between the therapist and the child. Michael Kaufman, the institute’s director, states, “Intuitively and anecdotally, we can see how contact with animals
works.” He continues, “What we don’t have is the date and quanti!able evidence.”
As a result, the institute has conducted a 12-week experiment that focuses on !nding the ways in which the presence of animals, particularly dogs, have an e"ect
on those on the spectrum. Over thirty students at Green Chimneys, who range between the ages of 8 and 15, where broken into four groups. Each week, two of
the groups attended traditional therapy sessions that focused on their social skills, while the other two groups attended sessions that incorporated therapy dogs.
Lead researcher and clinical psychologist Erica Rogers analyzed how the groups di"ered, focusing on the di"erence in concentration and if dogs were either a
distraction or an assistance to the therapy session. Thus far, the dogs have shown to improve expression in the children, and “they are certainly more excited to
go to group therapy”, Rogers states. This alone may prove to be a huge bene!t, as kids who are more eager to attend therapy will be more open to the experi-
ence and will !nd more ful!llment out of the session.
Michael Kaufman states, “The !eld of animal assisted therapy is about 30 years old. [But] in terms of data, it’s in its infancy.” As a result, Rogers and her team will
continue to focus on this study throughout the remainder of the year. All !ndings will be published.
This study is just one instance of incorporating animals into therapy sessions. For example, the TherapeuticEquestrianCenter in Cold Spring uses horses for those
with autism, as it helps them focus and calms them down. In addition, Guiding Eyes is an organization that trains dogs to partner with a child with autism. Many
children, as well as individuals of all ages on the autism spectrum, have seen great bene!ts from incorporating animals into their lives; not only can they provide
excitement and joy, but they can allow certain abilities to grow, such as socialization and expression.
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This entry was posted in Animals, Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, blogs, Parents, Research, Success, Therapy and tagged animal therapy, asd, autism, autism america,
Autism News, autism spectrum disorders, autism therapy, autistic children, Success, therapy dogs, therapy with dogs, treatment on August 7, 2014 [http://blog.hear-our-
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2. voices.org/2014/08/07/dogs-may-be-able-to-increase-concentration-and-socialization-in-children-with-asd/] by skhov.
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