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Tethering a dog to a child can be extremely dangerous. Parents have asked us about getting a service dog to safeguard their child from wandering. For instance, it might respond to signs of anxiety or agitation with a calming action such as leaning against the child (or adult) or gently laying across his or her lap. Some autism service dogs are trained to recognize and gently interrupt self-harming behaviors or help de-escalate an emotional meltdown. For instance, it may help someone with a mobility problem, visual or hearing impairment, epilepsy (alerting to seizures), diabetes (alerting to high or low blood sugar), an anxiety disorder or a developmental disorder such as autism.Īn autism service dog, for example, can accompany a child to decrease anxiety during medical or dental visits, school activities, shopping and travel. Service dogs typically wear a “cape,” or harness, that identifies them and lets bystanders know they are working and should not be disturbed.Įach service dog is trained according to the needs of the person it will assist. The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that people can bring their service dogs in all public areas – including restaurants and stores. Service dogs receive extensive training and official certification to help perform functions that present a challenge for a person with a disability. Would the dog bite your child if he grabbed it roughly? Is it prone to chase cats? Attack other dogs? Some rescue dogs have been abused and so become fearful around certain people such as men.Įditor’s note: For a listing of local and national agencies and resources, also see the Autism Speaks Assistance Dog Resource page.

That makes it difficult to predict how they will react when they feel frightened or threatened. When it comes to adopting a rescue dog, we have one caveat. If you’re considering purchasing or adopting a dog, we suggest golden retrievers, labs and labradoodles (lab-poodle mixes) because these breeds tend to have a calm temperament and high intelligence.

And pets provide parents with opportunities to teach and model caring behaviors and consideration of a friend’s needs – both important social skills. Learning to care for the dog teaches responsibility and practical skills. Walking the dog provides both exercise and a “social magnet” to ease conversation with other children. An affectionate dog provides unconditional love and friendship on a daily basis. Here are some distinctions to consider when deciding which type of dog is right for a child – or adult – who has autism: Companion dogsĪs mentioned, a well-trained family pet can be a wonderful calming influence for someone who has autism. In fact, that’s what we usually recommend when a family comes to us for advice on choosing a dog for a child who has autism. We’d add a third category – a companion dog that’s well-behaved and well-trained. You are correct to recognize a difference between a service dog and a therapy dog. Choosing a service dog, companion dog or therapy dog for your autistic child

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At the same time, your child may need your full attention.Ī service dog training agency – such as those listed on the Assistance Dogs International website – can help you sort through these questions. Remember, the dog is looking to you (the adult) for direction and commands. Are you comfortable handling a dog while caring for your child in public? Even with a highly trained service dog, many parents have told us they were surprised how difficult this could be.Is your family prepared and ready to take on the long-term commitment and expense of caring for a dog in sickness and in health?.Might your child or anyone else in the household have allergies that might be aggravated by a dog?.Before we discuss which kind of dog might be best for you child, please consider the following questions if you haven’t already: Can you advise? Any help or suggestions are appreciated.”

My respite-care provider believes he would benefit more from a therapy dog then a service dog. “We are looking into getting either a therapy dog or a service dog for our son who has autism.