Research shows that children with autism have stronger social skills when any kind of pet lived in the home.
The University of Missouri research highlights that dogs and other pets play an important role in individuals’ social lives, and they can act as social interaction catalysts for children with autism.
The data revealed that children with any kind of pet in the home reported being more likely to engage in behaviours such as introducing themselves, asking for information or responding to other people’s questions.
Gretchen Carlisle, research fellow, MU College of Veterinary Medicine, said: “When I compared the social skills of children with autism who lived with dogs to those who did not, the children with dogs appeared to have greater social skills.
More significantly, however, the data revealed that children with any kind of pet in the home reported being more likely to engage in behaviours such as introducing themselves, asking for information or responding to other people’s questions. These kinds of social skills typically are difficult for kids with autism, but this study showed children’s assertiveness was greater if they lived with a pet.”
Carlisle also found that children’s social skills increased the longer a family had owned a dog, yet older children rated their relationships with their dogs as weaker.
All Pets Deemed Helpful
Carlisle surveyed 70 families who had children with autism between the ages of 8 and 18. The children were patients at the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Almost 70 percent of the families that participated had dogs, and about half of the families had cats. Other pets owned by participants included fish, farm animals, rodents, rabbits, reptiles, a bird and even one spider.
“Dogs are good for some kids with autism but might not be the best option for every child,” Carlisle said. “Kids with autism are highly individual and unique, so some other animals may provide just as much benefit as dogs. Though parents may assume having dogs are best to help their children, my data show greater social skills for children with autism who live in homes with any type of pet.”
Stepping Out is a strong advocate of research that relates to treating autism which not only highlights developmental disabilities but can also help families bringing up children with autism.
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