Dogs for autistic children help 'stress and behaviour'

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Dogs for autistic children help 'stress and behaviour'

Specially trained dogs may be useful in helping to calm autistic children,

researchers have said, after it was found the animals lowered stress and reduced

problem behaviour.

By , Medical Editor

Published: 1:11PM BST 20 Oct 2010

The use of specially trained dogs has become commonplace to help blind and deaf

people live independently and can also help disabled people with tasks such as

getting money from a cash machine and emptying a washing machine.

Now researchers are exploring how dogs may help children with autism as

ancedotal evidence over a number of years has suggested they are beneficial.

Autism is a spectrum disorder with problems ranging from relatively mild

impairment of relationships and 'reading' others, to profound anxiety, limited

speech and isolation.

A study conducted in Canada measured stress hormones in saliva and questioned

parents about their child's behaviour before the introduction of a dog into the

home, while they had the dog and after the dog was removed.

At the end of the study all the families had the option of keeping the dog which

was provided and trained by the MIRA Foundation, in Quebec, which specialises in

dogs for the blind, deaf and physically disabled.

Autistic children in 42 families were involved in the study and it was found

that stress levels were lower after the introduction of the dog and parents

reported fewer problem behaviours such as tantrums, anxiety and better tolerance

of household noises like appliances.

On average, parents counted 33 problematic behaviours prior to living with the

dog, and only 25 while living with the animal.

The findings were published in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Lupien, senior researcher and a professor at the Université de Montréal

Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Centre for Studies on Human Stress

at Louis-H. Lafontaine Hospital said: " Our findings showed that the dogs had a

clear impact on the children's stress hormone levels.

“I have have not seen such a dramatic effect before.

" Introducing service dogs to children with Autism Syndrome Disorders has

received growing attention in recent decades.

" Until now, no study has measured the physiological impact. Our results lend

support to the potential behavioural benefits of service dogs for autistic

children. "

The dogs had their behaviour assessed and were trained for three months to

remain calm even when their environment became chaotic.

Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society, said: “The results

of this small scale study are encouraging and it is particularly interesting

that it focuses on the physiological changes in the stress levels of children

with autism.

" Whilst we know that some children with autism can be scared of dogs, we

regularly hear from other families who report that their children respond well

to the company of dogs or develop some sort of special connection, and we are

keen understand this further.

" Pilot programmes with autism assistance dogs are at a early stage in the UK and

there are presently very few trained dogs available, however the NAS is keen to

see these projects extended.

" We are also interested to learn more about the potential benefits of owning a

pet dog. As a result, we are embarking on a research project which aims to

assess the impact a pet dog can have on a child's life.

" For this, we are currently looking for families to take part in this project,

and people will be able to follow the progress of the research through our

website. "