SHARES
Tracy was a quiet child. She didn’t have many friends and often played alone. She rarely made eye contact with anybody and never gave proper answers to the questions asked by the teachers. Her teachers informed her parents about her behaviour and suggested that they meet the school counsellor. After multiple sessions with the counsellor, Tracy was diagnosed with autism and needed multiple therapies and treatments to improve her condition.
At first, Tracy’s parents didn’t believe that their little princess was suffering from a developmental disorder but they always supported her and also participated in the therapy sessions. Tracy’s counsellor noticed that she loves to play with his dog and suggested her parents get one for her as this would help to enhance her social interaction. Tracy loved her dog; she would play and talk to him for hours. The counsellor noticed a positive change in Tracy’s behaviour and noted that she responded well to the therapies as well.
We often keep pets for company, protection, and entertainment but according to recent studies, pets can also help special needs kids to cope with the symptoms of various developmental disorders.
Some of the developmental disorders in which having a pet can be of great help are:
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: As having a pet involves following a routine, this teaches the child to plan and organise his or her time, cultivating self-confidence and responsibility in them. Taking the pet for a walk can burn off excess energy and can serve as a relaxing activity for hyperactive children as well.
- Autism: Recent studies have shown that children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) lack social skills but interaction with service dogs can help them to increase their social skills. An autism service dog is a service dog trained to assist an autistic person and help them gain independence.
In one recent psychology study, the therapists exposed children with developmental disorders to three different stimuli. They gave a ball, a stuffed dog and a living dog to these children. It was observed that children were more cheerful, focused, and aware of their social environments in the presence of a live dog. These findings showed that animal-assisted therapy may be an appropriate type of therapy to treat developmental disorders.
As a parent, if you suspect that your child has developmental delays then you should consult a medical professional immediately for advice and recommendations. Along with suggested therapies and treatments, you can also consider giving your child a pet.
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by Aditi Upadhyay
View all articles by Aditi Upadhyay.
