Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a wide range of difficult-to-treat social and mental health afflictions. Due to the lack of established treatments for ASD, alternative therapies have been the primary form of intervention. One of these alternatives is animal-assisted therapy, an area that is attracting growing interest and has recently accumulated studies on its effectiveness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The majority of research on ASD and animal-assisted therapy has examined children and has primarily used dogs and horses for therapeutic purposes. Studies have shown positive effects of therapy, including high satisfaction rates among participants' families. In recent decades, the health benefits of pet ownership, visiting animals (such as in a hospital or nursing home), and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) have attracted growing interest and research into them. Research into the potential benefits has focused on diverse 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 service dogs with these children. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are often rejected and victimized by their peers, which could lead to social isolation, anxiety, and problematic behaviors at home (O'Haire, McKenzie, McCune et Slaughter, 2014). Over time, these experiences could 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 persistent impairment in social activities. restricted and repetitive functioning and behaviors (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). These symptoms are present in early childhood and can interfere with 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 intervention 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 educational, recreational or therapeutic benefits without being goal-oriented. or facilitated by a professional (O'Haire et al., 2014). According to the social support theory of human-animal interactions, animals have the ability to enhance social support because they act as a source of comfort and facilitate social interactions (McNicholas & Collis, 2006). Additionally, human-animal interaction attachment theory suggests that animals can act as a source of comfort and security for children, which could alleviate distress and reduce problem behaviors (Kruger & Serpell, 2006). . Although these theoretical underpinnings have led researchers to hypothesize that animals provide a unique outlet for social engagement (O'Haire, 2013), others have argued that social aversion in individuals with ASD could be specific to the human species and not extend to animals (Johnson, 2003). Improvement ofquality of life of autistic children or adults thanks to animal-assisted therapy. People with ASD often have difficulty concentrating, responding to sensory stimuli, and communicating with others, all of which improved after using pet therapy. Various studies support the idea that animals may be particularly effective for children with ASD. For example, research has shown that these children tend to prefer images of animals over those of humans and are less sensitive to the sound of human voices. opposed to other stimuli. Introducing a dog to children with ASD can result in reduced stress, anxiety and irritation and may also promote a more relaxed environment for these children. Caitlin Siewertsen; Emma French; Masaru Teramoto, Ph.D., MPH AND is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose diagnosis is based on repetitive stereotyped behaviors and reduced abilities in communication and social interaction. The latter may present as difficulty establishing and maintaining 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 U.S. 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 very positive benefits for a person with ASD, for example: Promoting positive emotions and improving mood. Support the development or expression of empathetic skills. Building confidence. Relieve anxiety. Reduce feelings associated with loneliness, insecurity, sadness, social isolation and anger. skills.Learn to have greater control over impulses and emotionsHelps develop trust not only with animals but also with human beings.How it is doneAnimals typically used for therapy are horses also known as horses Equine-assisted therapy, dogs also known as dog-assisted therapy and Sometimes dolphins are also used, also known as dolphin-assisted therapy. During a typical session, the therapist works with an ASD person on how to properly engage the horse or dog in a positive interaction. E.g. With a horse, a child can lead the horse 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 treat them. This type of interaction is a gentle way to teach the ASD child to communicate in a more sensitive way. Additionally, improved communication paves the way for building trust. Communication is the foundation of trust; Although this simple thing may not be so obvious after a few sessions, animal-assisted therapy can have long-term benefits for children with ASD, including developing social skills and the relationship between therapist and animals. therapy can also serve as a model for a healthy relationship. . Uyemura, B. (December 16, 2011). “The Truth About Animal-Assisted Therapy.” Psychology Center. Accessed December 7, 2015. Research Behind theIntervention Research presented by 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 several, so information on 568 AATs was submitted. Of all AATs, therapeutic horseback riding, also known as equine therapy or hippotherapy, was the most frequently used, with 349 children participating. In addition, 168 families used “animal” or “pet” therapy. Only 51 used therapy dog ​​or a service dog, although it is likely that some “therapy dog” families listed their treatment under “animal therapy” or “pet.” No one has reported using dolphin therapy. Families shared experiences involving all kinds of bonding and interactions between children and animals. For example, some children have participated in programs in which a dog was made available to children in a school or therapeutic setting. into their home and life, hoping that regular interaction with a loving animal would help their child. Dogs were mentioned most often, as were snakes, rabbits and cats. One mother described her son's bond with and empathy for the family felines. them: "Mark takes care of the kittens and I worry about them. He loves interacting with them and he will sing to them to help them "feel safe." He gives us a glimpse of how he feels by telling us when he thinks the kittens are scared or nervous” A number of families were enthusiastic about equine therapy, saying it had been a wonderful experience for their child on the autism spectrum. “This is the therapy where I have seen the most improvement with Suzie,” one mother said. "She seems to enjoy horseback riding because not only does it feel good on a sensory level, but it creates a feeling of competence and confidence. Over the past few months, she has managed to steer the horse on her own and trot ( without complaining, which is new for her) in a 2 point position She was all smiles during her recent riding sessions “There have also been stories of disappointment. Some families have found that their child was indifferent to an animal they were trying to introduce and that the hoped-for bond did not form. One mother said: “At a very young age, Adam was fascinated by water. We had 3 kilos at the time. It only took him once to fly to a pond to throw a stone and I had to run to all three ponds to find him... I decided to buy a Labrador and 'train myself to find all the children when asked. . The dog did this job very well but because of my child's lack of response, she preferred not to find it. She was very willing to find any other child than the one I wanted her to find. were capable of performing functions that no untrained dog could perform. They explained how the dog's presence often made social life easier, giving people an excuse to approach and interact and also giving them an inkling that the child might be in trouble. (Parents of children with ASD often comment that people cast judgmental glances, thinking their children are "dumb" rather than disabled because they appear physically normal.) One grateful mother explained the many ways she thought that their service dog had helped his son: “When we have the dog and Sean has a ?.