In 2008, Dogs for the Disabled extended its services to help children with autism and their families. Over the next three years, we are piloting two services to help families with a child with autism to lead a more fulfilled life:
- Autism Assistance Dog service - the provision of a specially trained assistance dog
- Parents Autism Workshops and Support (PAWS) - supporting families to get the most out of a relationship between a pet dog and their child
For a child with autism life can be confusing. The world becomes a mass of pictures and noise that never makes sense. There is no known cure for autism, and every individual is affected differently, but one thing remains the same, normal life stops for the whole family.
How does a dog help?
- A dog communicates in simple consistent messages
- A trained dog can remain calm in busy environments, helping a child to feel relaxed and safe
- A dog is a constant focus for a child in unfamiliar environments
- A dog thrives on routine and follows simple rules, which can provide a structure for the child to follow
Autism Assistance Dog service
An autism assistance dog trained by Dogs for the Disabled gives the parent and child real independence, and provides a safer environment for the child, so they feel more secure.
Having unlimited access to public places with the dog enables the whole family to do simple things such as shopping, which may have been impossible before.
A fully-trained autism assistance dog can help change behaviour by introducing routines, reducing bolting behaviour, interrupting repetitive behaviour, and help a child with autism cope with unfamiliar surroundings.
Applications for this service can only be considered for children from 3 years of age up to their 10th birthday. The age is set due to the nature of the harness used when working and the resulting welfare of the child and dog.
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Parents Autism Workshops and Support (PAWS)
The workshops, led by trainers from Dogs for the Disabled, help families to select the right pet dog and/or get the most out of a relationship between a pet dog and their child with autism.
We will also provide back-up support through our website, telephone advice and a family network.
We have partnered with the National Autistic Society and the University of Lincoln, to carry out a three year research study looking at why dogs affect children with autism and the impact on the family as a whole. The first 20 families for the workshops will need to meet specific criteria and will be required to contribute information over this time.
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