by Sorcha Ni Dhomhnaill

Created on: February 22, 2009

Pets can do a lot to help kids with autism. Some autistic children find they can relate to and build a relationship with a pet more easily than with another person, especially when speech issues get in the way of communication. Dogs especially do not like to be looked in the eye and are naturally non-confrontational (as long as they are not trying to be dominant) in the way they relate to others, which an autistic person intuitively understands. Many autistics have service dogs who accompany them out. Usually the dog's presence alone is familiar and calming and helps the person focus in the face of sensory overload and unfamiliar environments. There are even some therapy

programs for autistic kids that use animals to help learn how to express feelings and interact spontaneously.

Obviously, a pet can do all of these things for a child if there is the right "chemistry" between the two of them. That's another reason why dogs are a good bet, since it's harder to interact with other animals. However, some children may prefer to curl up with a cat, which won't cause sensory overload by running around and barking, and has a softer coat to pet. Cats are increasingly being used as therapy animals as well. No matter what kind of pet is being considered, though, it's important to realize that for many autistic children a pet is not a luxury but the only friend they may have. Many young autistics who are still learning socialization, communication, and how to deal with frustration are desperately lonely. That's where animals can stand to make a huge difference in their lives. Rather than distract a child from learning to deal with people, the pet may become their first and most valuable teacher, and they willing students.

Some parents may be concerned about how an autistic child will deal with a pet because of a particular phobia or sensory aversion, or because their child sometimes displays violent behavior. But the child may just need to get used to a particular animal, or even animals in general. There is no need to assume the worst. Sometimes a child may have a strong reaction to one particular thing about a certain animal, but be able to interact fine with another. Autism is characterised by uneven development, so a child who terrorizes pets may eventually be able to turn over a new leaf, if given another chance from time to time. Also, for children who cannot have a pet in their home for any reason, a program using therapy animals can still be of value. It may be necessary to find the right animal and keep the child in a controlled environment, at least until they are able to learn how to get along together.

But a child who desperately craves interaction should always be given another chance to connect. Who knows what benefits could be gained from finding the right pet?

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