Children with autism have serious difficulties interacting with people, but apparently there is a great tool to increase their sociability: pets!
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Children with autism have serious difficulties interacting with people, but apparently there is a great tool for increase their sociability: pets!
Although it has long been known that dogs can improve the social skills of children with autism, Gretchen Carlisle, ofUniversity of Missouri, has now scientifically discovered that, in fact, any type of animal can improve their social skills. Cats, reptiles, birds, and fish can also help with the ability to introduce themselves to other people, ask questions, or answer them. Not easy activities for children with autism.
The new study, published in the journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorder, was conducted on 70 families with children with autism between the ages of 8 and 18, followed by the University's Center for Neurological Development Disorders.
Almost 70 percent of the families that participated had dogs, about half had cats. The list of other pets owned by the participants included fish, farm animals, rodents, rabbits, reptiles, birds and even a spider.
"Dogs are fine for some children with autism, but they may not be the best option for everyone," the author explains. Children with autism are highly individual and unique, so they are there some animals that can provide as much benefit as dogs. Although parents may assume that dogs are best for helping their children, my data shows greater social skills even in children with autism who live in homes with other types of pets. "
Pets are useful mainly because I'm a catalyst for conversations. Children like to talk to them and about them. According to the data, it is preferable to have this bond born as soon as possible - younger children tied to their pets were found to be stronger than older children.
Roberta Ragni
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