Parents with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might not want to get their child a service dog because dogs might be a challenge to them. Cats, on the other hand, are an excellent alternative. Having a pet enables your kids to learn strong interpersonal skills such as sharing and empathy.
Dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs are not just cute companions, they're also great for helping autistic children with their social and emotional development. If you're fostering a child with autism, here's how pet therapy can have a positive impact on their wellbeing.
Caring for a cat helps children with ASD learn empathy and compassion as well as teaching responsibility. Petting a cat relieves stress and anxiety not just for the child with ASD, but the whole family. Cats are nonjudgmental, allowing children with ASD to feel relaxed and to connect freely with their cat companion.
They make socialising easier. Dogs are good for children with ADHD and autism as sometimes it's just their presence that's needed to make everything okay. Children with autism, ADHD, or ADD can find socialising difficult, especially if they already feel isolated by their condition.
According to studies, very affectionate breeds of cats are good companions for children who have autism. Some of those include Burmese, Ragdoll, Birman and Abyssinian. Experts suggest adopting a young cat or kitten for your child if you decide a cat would be the best pet for your family.
Cats, however, do not have such social cues. They don't have words and they love and comfort. This connection with another living creature is of great comfort to people with autism, and studies have shown that the connection experienced with a pet can translate into improved connections with people.
Autistic kids and adults tend to do very well in socializing with cats, dogs, horses, etc. Interacting with animals brings out more advanced socialization skills, which they can then use, to some extent, with other humans.
Having a pet promotes positive feelings of care, love, and empathy in children with autism. Studies show that the longer they own a pet, the more their cognitive and emotional skills increase.
If you've caught Netflix's heartwarming docuseries Love on the Spectrum, you've probably checked yourself on many biases you may have about autism. The show reminds us that, in contrast to neurotypical prejudices, people on the spectrum desire companionship, feel empathy, and like us, can absolutely adore dogs.
A relatively new symbol for autism, the butterfly has been a suggested replacement for the puzzle piece as it inspires thoughts of change and symbolizes the beauty of diversity and continued development.
The short answer is no. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that cats can have autism. However, cats can exhibit behaviors that are similar to those seen in humans with autism. One of the defining characteristics of autism is a lack of social interaction.
Cats with autism often exhibit repetitive behaviors like pacing or spinning, excessive vocalization and having trouble adapting to change. They may also display signs of anxiety including hiding, avoiding human contact and being extremely sensitive to external stimuli.
Some low-quality studies have found that animals might help autistic people develop sensory, social skills and early communication skills. Animals might also help people manage problem behaviour and stress. More high-quality research is needed to find out whether animal-assisted therapy is effective.
Pets can provide a familiar source of comfort and have a calming effect on the children in day to day situations and especially so in social settings. Pets also help children with autism develop a positive sense of self. As mentioned previously, pets are non-judgmental, showing unconditional love and affection.
Getting a service animal for your child with autism can help them focus longer and help develop their focusing skills. In addition, animal interaction can also increase physical fitness, strength, and coordination. Animal therapy can also help a person focus their attention.
Research from the University of Lincoln found that autistic children experience fewer meltdowns in the presence of a pet dog and their parents stress levels are significantly lowered, but we also see that dogs can make a difference to confidence levels, help reduce anxiety, improve communication and help families do ...
People with Asperger's syndrome often tend to bond more easily with animals than they do with people. Medical research has shown that pets can be highly beneficial for children with Asperger's, as an animal gives affection unconditionally, is non-judgmental and provides emotional and physical therapy.
An autism assistance dog or autism service dog is an assistance dog trained to assist a person with autism to help them gain independence and the ability to perform activities of daily living similar to people without autism.
Many autistic people cite a strong attachment to animals, and some studies suggest they may even show a bias towards animals over people.
So many individuals on the spectrum have a strong connection to animals in some point in their lives. Whether it is forming a deep love for a household pet, or delving into every detail of an animal species, or getting involved in a cause related to animal welfare, the attraction is undeniable.
Additionally, Sonic's wide range of enemies and obstacles keeps the games interesting without overstimulating the senses with too much change or uncertainty. This makes Sonic a fun way to relax, enjoy some entertainment, and practice motor skills at one's own pace.
Those who don't have cats are missing out on the cats' appeal. The reality is that behind all of the warm cuddles and purring is an animal that improves mental health by decreasing stress, offering companionship, purring the pain away, and serving as a therapy animal.