Pet theory to help autism/AS

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http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/arti ... ?id=833416
have a look at the video in this link, be sure to let the add pass before the report starts.


im thinking about getting a dog now. maybe it'll help me.
what do you all think about this as a form of treatment? has anyone got any case scenarios to share, ie, was it helpful to you or someone you know?

I couldn't live without my dog. She's the one thing that's been consistent in my life. I made a homepage sticker on IMVU that says "Home is where your dog is"

my first best friend was a dog, so is my current only friend.
How did I know that he was my best friend?
One time I was sad and sitting down on the grass and he came and put his paw on my lap like saying I'm with you.

my cat is more of a stickler for regimentation and schedule than I am. If I trun over to go back to sleep or my attention wavers while preparing for the day that damn cat is bossing me around and making me pay attention to duty and detail.

then he goes and takes a nap before I am out the door for work, his work is done.



I love my cat and always replace them when they pass on.

Merle

I love dogs but be prepared that they require a lot more attention than cats. I don't have the focus necessary for a dog but a cat is just my speed. I think a pet is a great idea though.

TheMaverick, dogs can be some of the most loyal and loving pets. However, I find that they require a considerable amount of attention as well as love, and if you have that to give and are prepared to give that amount of attention to a pet for what could be the next 14 or more years of your life (I say this because dogs can be a big commitment), then do it. I feel that dogs are more high maintenance than children because, as children get older, they learn to fend for themselves whereas dogs never really do. They constantly rely on you to feed them, walk them, tell them when they can go for a poo etc. I have a lot of respect for people who have dogs as I just don't have the time and energy for them. So like I say, if you want to do this and have the time and energy to look after and love a dog, and if you think this will make you happy, you should do it.

I have a little dog, and he is the first pet I ever really loved. I love that dog so much. He helps me get through bad days, always makes me smile, and is definitelt the only one I can trust with anything.

I probably would not be here today without my cat.

Animals offer support to those who cannot relate to other humans,struggle or cant interact,dont understand them etc.
They offer their support and understanding without judgment,and for many on the spectrum they're species that they can actually connect and interact with.

For those that cannot be owned by a 'non human' could try contacting Pets As Therapy [PAT],they will come out with an animal of own choice,though quite discriminatively by default refuse to come out to those of us in residential homes for people with autism/LD,yet have no problems going to homes for older people with advanced dementia who can have much worse behavior.

My little jack russell Maggie helped me through a terrible breakup. I'm be crying and she will jump up and lick my face. Then we'd start playing and I'd forget all about the breakup.
I have a cat and dog and they've helped me a lot through lonely nights.

I watched the story already a few days ago. I saw that the twin autistic boys had a dog with them when they went to a shopping centre - I get anxious in supermarkets so I wonder they'll be a therapy dog for that? It's probably just for classically autistic kids though.

Now i know why I absolutely had to have pets as a kid. I literally felt like I needed a pet and I've never gone a very long time without one. Right now I have a cat and I care more about him than any of my friends.

I wouldn't be sane at all without my animal friends Two dogs, two cats, three snakes, three lizards, and two spiders.

They aren't socially complicated, don't try to play mind games with you, and they're easy to read and empathize with. At least, to me. I feel like i can pick up a lot of emotions from my dogs... Sometimes even a little from the reptiles. Relating to my OWN species is harder.. lol.

I'm starting to think I'm the only one that can't relate to animals either. They scare me. How can you relate to something that doesn't have thoughts the way you do? It causes even more stress than thinking about how the person next to be has a life and thoughts and dreams etc not to even have to think about all the millions of people there are.