Old or New Treatment for Autism?
Friday, March 1st, 2013
Animals And Autism: Pets Help With ASD
This article illustrates the notion that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) show increases in socialization skills from interacting with animals, pets or otherwise.
I guess this is considered news. This is not however new. As the article points out, Temple Grandin talks about her own kinship or affinity with animals ways of thinking and interacting. We’ve known about how important the therapeutic use of animals can be, but I guess we need reminders and I shouldn’t be anything but glad to see more coverage.
“Children with autism engaged in 55 percent more social behaviors when they were with the animals, compared to toys,” said O’Haire, who added that the amount they smiled more than doubled.”