Another question. Are dogs good for AS?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Another question. Are dogs good for AS?
5
Tue, 01-31-2006 - 5:03pm

Have you had any experience with whether dogs are helpful for children with AS/HFA/PPD/NLD? I'd love to get my kids a dog if it would help them be more emotionally secure, physically active, etc., but I'm not really interested if it's of no benefit to them.

Thanks

Avatar for littleroses
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Tue, 01-31-2006 - 5:20pm

Animals seem to mean the world to Temple Grandin.
We have two small dogs. My daughter seems to be able to feel better (secure) about showing her emotions to them. She LOVES the responsibility of being in charge of someone. She loves their absolute attention (when she's carrying around a biscuit) or moreover, I think she enjoys the control she has over them that she doesn't feel as much in her everyday world.

We also have two parrots, which terrified her at first and now she's fine with them. I also had her in horseback riding therapy for a short time. She was terrified of the horses, but came to look forward to riding them and brushing them, etc. Seeing her hurdle over those fears was rewarding.

Probably has other benefits, but when I think autism/aspergers and animals, I think of what it did for Temple.

If it causes too much stress for you though, I wouldn't feel pressured to get an animal. Maybe something similiar along the lines of where they can spend time with a "borrowed" animal. My daughter only spent one day a week for 45 minutes horseback riding to where she overcame her fear of the horses, it didn't take much. Maybe a neighbor/friend has a dog they can "loan" in a capacity like that.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Tue, 01-31-2006 - 10:33pm

Thank you! I was hoping to hear something that positive about their value. We wanted to get the kids a dog, but after multiple trips to the animal shelter, we discovered one ds is allergic. So, before going to the hassle and expense(!) of getting a dog that won't cause (hopefully) allergy problems (we're looking at a labradoodle), I wanted some indication that the benefits would be worth it.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2003
Tue, 01-31-2006 - 11:25pm

I think it really depends on the child's personality, the dog's temperament, your fostering of the bond, and the family's dedication to the dog's training.

~ Chelsea
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 01-31-2006 - 11:49pm

We have 2 dogs, a cat and a fish. I have felt the animals have been a great asset, but again breed and temperment are important.

It has taught the kids a number of things. Responsibility (feeding, help with grooming, etc), how to care for and about others. We once had to have a big talk about how it is painful to scream in kitty's ears. For Cait the animals are very soothing but animals are her obsession. She is very temple grandin that way. When she is in a mood the animals are best to bring her out. A good fluffy cuddle works every time.

Even Mike carries around our cat. Living, warm, weighted lap pad.

Mike tends to really go for smaller dogs and animals. He is ok with our dogs and will give them attention if you remind him but he isn't a huge fan. But when my mom brings over her little dog he is practically obsessed. He loves that dog and we really used that dog to teach him how to be gentle. He just didn't get it until he had to be gentle to be able to hold her.

Yup, I am a big believer in animals too.

On the down side, my SIL did get a dog for her son (autistic animal lover) but the dog ended up being more responsibility than she could manage with her kids. The dog would run out the door whenever it was left open for a second, which the boys often did. The dog was very protective of the kids and would bark ferociously at anyone who came in which bothered the ears of the sensitive one. They ended up giving the dog back and getting a bird and a hamster.

Renee

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Avatar for manda28
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 02-01-2006 - 8:31am

We've had a small dog since before Aaron was born. It has been good for him. His nurturing side really comes out with Louie. He loves to feed him, cover him up with a blanket when he is cold. His new thing is drawing pictures and hanging them at eye level with Louie's food bowl so he can enjoy them. He has also spent a lot of time mith my inlaws' Great Danes. He'll cuddle up on the floor next to them and have conversations.

Amanda