Recently studies have been done showing that animals can help autistic children when it comes to learning to read and some other skills. Animals are so innocent, and the child feels no agenda or expectations on the animal’s part.
Autistic children get agitated easily by noise and touch, where as animals want to be touched. Any relationship that comes out of the situation will be at the child’s wanting and making, not someone else’s schedule or testing.
An autistic child having trouble learning to read will get great inspiration and encouragement from reading to a dog or other animal, that won’t point out each mistake or make remarks back. The child feels more confident to try.
Since these children have such a sensitivity to touch, an animal’s soft fur keeps hands busy and desensitizes them in the process. They learn that touch can be a pleasant experience on their hands. Plus, many animals are content to sit and be petted while a child reads to them. They like the attention as much as the child likes their presence, so it’s a win/win situation.
Chickens for Good Health; Medicine Turns to the Barnyard
Recently tests have been done that show exotic chickens make very good companions for autistic kids. The chickens need next to no care and easily learn that a child touching them is acceptable. Chickens are known to be trainable and smart, and kids are more confident with an animal that isn’t needy for attention.
Autism is a devastating condition for a parent to face with their child. Even though new studies are being done all the time, there just isn’t enough information to tell us exactly what to do, and children have different symptoms and levels of disability. So, there’s not a single fix that helps everyone. But, animals seem to be a universal pleasure to all children, making them an important tool in the struggle against autism.
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