Learning the Language of Dogs Can Be a Breakthrough Experience for Children with Autism

Autor/in	Santo, Kathy
Titel	Learning the Language of Dogs Can Be a Breakthrough Experience for Children with Autism
Quelle	In: Exceptional Parent, 38 (2008) 5, S.32-33 (2 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0046-9157
Schlagwörter	Stellungnahme; Autism; Children; Animals; Training + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Autismus; Child; Kind; Kinder; Animal; Tier; Tiere; Ausbildung
Abstract	Becoming a professional dog trainer and working with kids and their dogs showed the author all the evidence she ever needed to see that dogs and kids were meant to be together, and that the right pairing of child to dog (coupled with proper training in obedience and mutual respect) yielded amazing results inside as well as outside their obedience classes. Many children on the autism spectrum have companion dogs, but not all of the dogs are trained. The biggest reason that the author heard from parents as to why they got a dog for their child was to give their child companionship. They believed that by bringing a dog into their family, the child would have an instant best friend. Yet, many families wound up with dogs that were given no training and were subsequently difficult to manage. That meant that their addition to the family, instead of "relieving" some of the stress, had actually "increased" it. The author opines that in order to cement a bond and form a relationship, these dogs needed training, and that the child needed to be the teacher. In this article, the author describes how she teaches the children to form a close bond with their dogs and create a unique experience of being a "teacher" to their dog--guiding, supporting, and helping them through every challenge they face, whether coaxing them through a "scary" agility tunnel or encouraging them to come when they are called. The children learned about consistency as well as the trials, tribulations, and determination required to accomplish a common goal. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	EP Global Communications Inc. 551 Main Street, Johnstown, PA 15901. Tel: 877-372-7368; Fax: 814-361-3861; e-mail: EPAR@kable.com; Web site: http://www.eparent.com/
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10