How Autism Assistance Dogs can be The Best Friend of a Child with Autism

Autism is a very severe disorder in children, which inhibits their natural growth and development. Children with autism are normally found to have a wide range of abnormalities, a limited set of interests, and tendency to repeat tasks. These symptoms, however, don’t necessarily mean the child is suffering from any sickness, fragility, or for that matter emotional disturbance. So, for parents dealing with an autistic child can be an uphill task, especially with someone who has severe impairments. Those suffering from extreme autism may cut himself off completely from society and even not interact properly with his parents, be developmentally disabled, and display extravagant body movements. Learning disabilities are widespread among autistic children, and they have a narrow set of interests while their communication at best can be described as pedantic. When it comes to treatment of patients with autism, there have been numerous efforts to find a proper cure for this disease. But, the behavior pattern of the disease is so dynamic and continuous that the diagnosis and treatment at best has been inadequate. Some sections in the medical fraternity believe that the diagnosis of autism should be based on the extent to which one has lost his linguistic ability and social skills, as opposed to one’s inability to make progress.

Though conventional treatments have so far failed to come up with a definitive course of treatment for autism, there are many alternative therapies that have been comparatively more successful in dealing with the various aspects of the disorder. Among the long list of alternate therapies, pet therapy is most sought after.

In fact the manner in which children with autism responds to pets is a source of encouragement for parents –the relationship is invariably instantaneous and reciprocal. Today it is not a novelty to find dogs being used in the treatment of autism. These dogs are, however, different from guide dogs in a few important aspects: